Fish - a rich source of protein
All measures are in place to increase the per capita fish consumption in Sri Lanka to 22 kilograms from the current 11.4 kilograms, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne recently. The minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the 105th Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) fish stall established in Kalutara, recently.
He added, “Another 145 CFC fish stalls will be established in the country before the end of this year. At present, the CFC is the main fish supplier for Sathosa outlets while supplying iced fish to the 150 outlets out of the 225”.
Nutritional value
The nutritional quality of fish and shellfish is similar but somewhat higher than that in meat and dairy products (milk), and less than that in eggs. The protein content of most fish species varies between 15-20 percent; fat content varies more widely than protein, water, or mineral content. Fish provides a good combination of amino-acids well suited to human nutritional requirements.
Fish is particularly high in lysine (in which cereal proteins are relatively low) and sulphur amino-acids; this makes it extremely efficient in supplementing the low protein/high carbohydrate diets of most of the countries in the region. A relatively small amount of fish protein in combination with a cereal-based diet therefore enhances the nutritional quality of the cereal protein and improves the overall quality of the diet, including the taste.
In addition, fish and fishery products are high in vitamins (particularly A, B and D), a good selection of minerals (especially phosphorus, calcium, and iron), trace elements, and iodine in the marine species. The high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids also contributes significantly to essential fatty acid requirements important in some cases in lowering blood cholesterol levels.
High potential
Sri Lankans have a huge appetite for fish. Though the island is surrounded by sea, with a coastline of over 1,700 km on all sides, it is heavily dependent on seafood imports to satisfy the varying consumer needs. Sri Lanka imports over 90,000 MT of fish and fishery products equivalents annually to supplement its domestic production of around 440,000 MT. On the brighter side, we have exported about 20,000 MT in 2011.
Thora, Thalapath, Kelawalla, Mora and Mullet (other than prawns) belong to the higher-priced bracket of fish and are consumed regularly by upper and middle classes of the society. Sri Lankans also are heavy consumers of dried fish. Over 20,000 MT of dried fish and 25,000 MT of dried sprat were imported in 2011. This is poor man's staple fish product, especially those in rural areas and in inland tea and rubber plantations.
These figures indicate that our potential to augment fish production is huge and we are still a long way from tapping these rich and productive resources. The government is making conscious and concerted efforts to realize this potential. One of the primary initiatives of our government has been to accelerate the development activities in this sector through a coordinated and targeted approach.
We should be happy to note that the fisheries sector is now well poised for a quantum leap in all its areas such as reservoir development, aquaculture, processing and marketing, enhanced capture fisheries etc.
There are plans to open up a tinned fish factory in Galle soon, with a capacity to produce 10,000 cans, and another factory in February, which will produce 20,000 cans a day, and the NHF will open a factory to produce 12,000 cans a day. This is a good move since we are presently importing about 17,000 MT of canned fish annually.
We have now 18 Functioning Major Fishery harbours, 33 Minor Fish Landing Centres, Ice Production Capacity is now 2100 MT per day, our Cool Rooms Capacity is now over 2,500 tons and six Fishing Gear Factories. Compared to few years ago, these are good improvements.
Regarding the fishing industry in the North, according to the Ministry sources, the contribution of the North during the national fishing harvest before the conflict had been 43 percent. But that rate had been 7 percent when the conflict ended and by now it had been increased to 14 percent. The government has spent a sum of Rs 1,400 million for the salt water fishing industry and Rs 445 million for the fresh water industry in the North.
Fish festival
Simultaneously, the government aims to put management and conservation measures in place for sustainable growth of the sector.
With all these activities on line, I think it is time for the Fisheries Ministry to start a Sri Lankan Fish Festival. Such a festival would provide an ideal platform to showcase the latest technologies and practices associated with fisheries. The main objective of this festival is to bring the fish farmers, technocrats, feed manufacturers, R & D institutions, traders involved in fisheries and consumers under one platform to discuss the recent developments in production technologies and strategies for marketing of fish and fishery products. The show can also aim to create awareness among the consumers on fish as a healthy food.
During the Fish Festival technical sessions can be arranged, wherein country's renowned scientists, aqua farmers, technocrats and business houses will discuss the latest technologies in production, processing, value addition and marketing of fish. Business opportunities for ornamental fisheries can also be explored in the festival.
The festival can be the showcase huge collection of freshwater and marine ornamental fishes as exclusive pavilion to pave way for the breeders to establish new business contacts for prosperity in trade and livelihood support. An exclusive pavilion for food courts would give a real time experience to the consumers on different tastes and varieties of fishes brought from all parts of the country. In a nutshell, the festival will bring all the stakeholders involved in fisheries under one platform for increased understanding of the concerns and opportunities to achieve its goals for increasing production, processing, marketing and consumption.
Future development
The future development of aquaculture and fisheries depends on adoption of new and innovative production technologies, management and utilization of under-utilized water resources and enhancing domestic consumption. Reservoir fisheries offer a major opportunity to enhance fish production in the country.
While the coastal fisheries have been fully exploited, deep sea resources are yet to be harnessed fully. Diversification of production by introducing new commercial species, adoption of new technologies like cage culture and introduction of processing units for value added products could add new dimensions to the sector. Proper post-harvest handling, reduction of post-harvest losses and hygienic primary processing are important to ensure quality and prevent wastage. Simultaneously, cold chain development and hygienic marketing arrangements should be made to ensure adequate returns to the fishermen as also make available good quality fish at affordable prices to the consumers.
The Sri Lankan fisheries and aquaculture is slowly beginning to receive the rightful attention from the developmental, marketing and policy sectors. The new initiatives of the minister coupled with the much needed changes in the national policy outlooks will hopefully infuse the enthusiasm to convert this sector in to a good business model to harness the potential opportunities within the country for increased and knowledge-driven fishery and aquaculture production.
The fundamental objective for fisheries development in Sri Lanka is to obtain the maximum sustainable yield from the regional fisheries resources in order to (a) intensify the production of low-cost protein food to reduce the growing protein deficit in the country and (b) improve the present trade balance through increased exportation and import substitution. The development of fisheries offers the perspective of significant improvement in both areas considering the low-cost accessibility of these valuable natural resources, as well as the availability of needed human and technological resources.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/31/fea01.asp
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