Norwlegian support for Sri Lankan marine survey and fish stocks assessment

Norway has agreed to support Sri Lanka to conduct a marine survey and a fish stocks assessment, said the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.

According to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera, the Sri Lankan President has instructed to discharge all the development schemes on a scientific basis by drawing conclusions depending on the scientific research conducted in each respective area.

Accordingly, the Minister has informed the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to conduct an in-depth research on fish stocks assessment and also a marine survey covering the entire sea of the country.

This would be the first time such an extensive research conducted in Sri Lanka and Norway has consented to extend their support to NARA in this endeavour.

The Ministry has held a discussion regarding the study on 14 June at NARA with the participation of the Advisor of Norway’s Centre for Development Cooperation in Fisheries Jens-Otto E. Krakstad, President of NARA and many other experts in the field.

A special vessel of Norway is to arrive in Sri Lanka to investigate the deep sea fish resources around Sri Lanka and the measures for the development of sea resources will be examined too. The data will be used in assessment of fish stocks, especially in submission of recommendation of strategies for fish resources development.

The study will be carried out for a period of two years. It was emphasised at the discussion that the programs discharged by the Ministry of Fisheries contribute heavily for the conservation of marine resources of Sri Lanka including the fish resources. Also it was highlighted that through this research revitalisation of certain fisheries resources which have currently been affected could be possible.