Three more fisheries harbours in the pipeline

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa

Plans are afoot to construct modern fisheries harbours in Gandara in the Matara district, Gurunagar in the Jaffna district and Silawathura in the Mannar district to assist the economy of the country, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

He said that the estimated cost of the constructions was 59.3 million euro and the Government of Denmark will provide funds on a long term credit facility.

He said that Ministry also plans to construct the Kalamatiya harbour at a cost of Rs. 853 million and measures have been taken to develop the fisheries harbour in Point Pedro in the Jaffna district under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and also seven others at Kudawella, Puranawella, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, Beruwala and Dikkowita at a cost of Rs. 6,834 million.

He also added that the southern coastal belt will also be developed this year which will help to improve the livelihood of the coastal fishing communities.

According to Dr. Senaratne, the development work in the fisheries sector would help to create new employment opportunities, boost fish production, increase the number of fishing vessels and provide anchoring facilities for larger vessels.

The Fisheries Ministry has also taken steps to double the present fish harvest from 385,000 tons to 686,000 tons by 2013. Sri Lanka is targeting US$ one billion in foreign exchange earnings from fisheries exports by 2020.

He said that ministry plans to increase the income from Rs. 1,020 million to Rs. 5,000 million by 2013 and to increase inland fish production to 75,000 tons. The ministry also targets to increase the fish harvest in the North and East by 50 percent by 2013.

He said that in the year 2010, the national fish production was 360,000 tons and in 2011 production was over 400,000 tons. Fishermen in the North and East contributed to 43 percent of the national fish harvest.

Currently, Sri Lanka has a malnutrition level of 21 percent among children. The per capita consumption of fish per day was only 31 grams and it has increased to 35 grams. The Ministry has set up the targets to increase it to 60 grams to eradicate malnutrition in children by 2013. Sri Lanka’s total fish production has to reach 685,000 tons in 2013 to achieve this target, Dr. Senaratne said.

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=42411