Prime Minister vows to take fisheries sector global

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena this week vowed that the Government will develop the once neglected fisheries sector to be globally competitive and enhance its export potential.

He made this observation at the launch of the first multi-day fishing vessel with cooling systems at Dikkowita fishing port as a pilot project to safely bring the fish harvested from the sea to the land.

This pilot project was initiated to reduce post-harvest losses with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. This pilot project was implemented as a joint venture of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, NARA (National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency), NERD (National Engineering Research and Development Centre) and Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd.

“The fisheries sector, which was not considered a part of the economy in the past, will enter the global market in a big way under new plans made by the Government,” the Prime Minister told the ceremony.

“We have got the opportunity to export our fish products to the European Union. We must ensure not only the taste but also the quality of the product we provide. That is why the number of countries requesting Sri Lanka’s fish production is increasing,” he emphasised.

Delivering the keynote address the Prime Minister said the launch of the pilot project was an important breakthrough to protect the fisheries produce that fishermen get from the sea.

“We have to challenge the problem that has been there for a long time. Around 40%-60% of our fish produce is wasted when it is brought to land so that we cannot get a 100% income. The supply is decreased that way, but the cost faced by the fisherman does not diminish. It is a big revolution to manufacture a machine to protect the large amount of fish produced mechanically by motorboats and multi-day fishing boats and to be utilised by fishermen,” the Prime Minister said.

“As much as we could reduce our waste, the degree of our success increases. The innovation transforms the process into a huge boost not only in the income of the fisherman but also in the progress of his livelihood,” he further added.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda in his remarks said: “The fishing community has many problems. We are committed to addressing those problems. There are about 27,000 fishing boats that operate on kerosene in our country. Due to the increase in the price of kerosene, the livelihood of the fishermen is in danger. On the other hand, it has not been possible to provide fish at low prices to the local consumers.”

“Therefore, we are ready to introduce a modern device in the future to reduce the cost. This battery-operated device makes it possible to catch fish at a low cost. A program has been implemented to protect the resources of the sea with proper management. This will help protect marine resources while increasing livelihoods. We are also taking some steps in relation to the freshwater fishing industry. It is our endeavour to achieve these goals in the coming year,” Devananda added.

Fisheries State Minister Piyal Nishantha highlighted that the Government is in the process of putting in place an insurance system and a retirement scheme for the welfare of the fishermen. For the education of their children and the safety of the fishermen, an account system has also been introduced. A great deal of work is being done to solve the problems of the fishermen by approaching the fishermen themselves.

“We are introducing this new project to prevent further damage to fish resources. This is a pilot project. This pilot project has the potential to usher in a golden era in the fishing industry of our country,” he said.

A group of officials including the State Ministers Sisira Jayakodi and Prasanna Ranaweera, Fisheries Ministry Secretary Indu Ratnayake, World Food and Agriculture Organisation Assistant Representative Nalin Munasinghe, NERD President Prof. S.U. Adhikari and others participated at this event.