By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
Even with stormy seas that prevailed in December 2011 due to turbulent conditions in the Bay of Bengal, fish production has massively improved in the North and the East, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.
Dr. Senaratne said that the ministry had taken steps to begin prawn farming in the Batticaloa district which would bring a good export revenue.
He said that a brackish water prawn breeding centre was opened recently in Puthukudirippu, Batticaloa. Nearly Rs.80 million had been spent on the prawn breeding centre. It aimed to provide 200 million baby prawns yearly. The newly built prawn breeding centre will be managed by the King Aqua Services (PVT) Ltd.
Around 2,839 hectares from seven divisional secretariat areas in the Batticaloa district had been identified for prawn farming and pilot projects were launched in 150 hectares in Valachchenai, Ottimawadi and Kokkadicholai and also another prawn farm would be established in Vakarai Wattawan, Batticaloa in 49 hectares of land.
Under the prawn farming programme ponds would be provided to 27 fishery families and one pond will be 1.5 hectares. A model prawn farm will be established in six hectares and infrastructure facilities in all these areas will also be developed, he added.
The ministry is to spend around Rs.70 million on these development projects. A model prawn farm had already been established near the Air Force Camp in Puthur, Batticaloa and the ministry spends Rs.11 million for this, Dr. Senaratne said.
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