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Sustainable aquaculture development
The objective of the Aquaculture Development Project is to promote sustainable aquaculture development by increasing the sector’s productivity within a framework of social consensus and environmental soundness, thereby contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic growth.
The project’s goal is to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood improvement of people in poor rural communities. The aquaculture project is carried out based on world-renowned Israel aquaculture technology benefiting future aquaculture producers, traders and processors throughout the country.
"The project’s goal is to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood improvement of people in poor rural communities. The aquaculture project is carried out based on world-renowned Israel aquaculture technology benefiting future aquaculture producers, traders and processors throughout the country"
Since commercial fishing is harvesting at or above their maximum sustainable yield, aquaculture is playing an increasing role as a protein food supplier to the world population. The increased importance of aquaculture of fresh, brackish or marine waters is a substantial part of the country’s economic development.
National interest
Further development of aquaculture is therefore in the national interest. Unlimited availability of clean water, domestic market facilities (hospitality industry), and suitable sites for processing makes it positive for commencement of aquaculture projects.
This re-development project is being conceived as a pilot project with the aim of establishing a sustainable aquaculture industry in Sri Lanka. The plan is to develop large aquaculture ventures on defunct facilities in the area.
Making the ‘Mahinda Chinthana – ldiri Dekma’ a reality and strengthened by the vision of the Fisheries Minister, to address Sri Lanka’s malnutrition problem of Sri Lanka via fish, which is the cheapest protein, the company is committed to producing best quality farmed aquaculture food fish for domestic and international markets and to contribute towards poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood improvement of people in poor rural communities.
Sri Lanka does not have sufficient sea bass, pangasus and Macrobrachium aquaculture projects. Thilapia is done in very small scale farms. Shrimp farming was a lucrative business some time ago until it was severely affected by white spot disease and almost all farmers gave up their businesses.
Single largest aquaculture project in Sri Lanka
Senura Aquaculture identified the potential of sea bass, pangasus, thilapia and Macrobrachium in local and international markets and with the advanced technologies practiced in Israel, has taken a bold step towards the establishing single largest aquaculture project in Sri Lanka.
Sea bass (Barramundi) is a highly-sought-after dish on any menu card in the world.
Although thilapia is famous among local communities, the quality had been declining over the period of time due to the lack of technological advances. The company cultures superior quality hybrid varieties of thilapia with continuous improvements done by its research and development professionals. Macrobrachium Rosenbergii was never tested on farming projects in Sri Lanka and it is the first and the leader in fresh water Macrobrachium Rosenbergii farming in Sri Lanka.
The stagnating catches from the oceans cannot keep up with the seafood consumption of the world’s growing population. To some extent this growing demand can be met by the rapid development of the aquaculture sector, which is Senura Aquaculture Projects Lanka’s ultimate goal.
Generating jobs and income
Besides supplying people with nutritious foods, aquaculture also generates jobs and income and its development has benefited from the domestication of new species.
The farming of sea bass is an example of a relatively new aquaculture activity in Sri Lanka that provides high value products to the global seafood market, whereas Macrobrachium Rosenbergii consumption has also increased throughout the world in the recent times and natural resources are depleting or have remained stagnant due to various environmental factors, which means that a greater portion of the market will be lost.
The processors have to meet international orders, which they currently lack due to non-availability of the required species and also due to the unexpected landings. Thus if there is a consistent supply of the Macrobrachium Rosenbergii species then all of the processors can commit to their buyers and in result the cultured Macrobrachium Rosenbergii will have a definite market.
The controlling factor in Macrobrachium Rosenbergii export is Macrobrachium Rosenbergii production and not the markets. Exporters of Macrobrachium Rosenbergii are confident that exports can be enhanced if the production can be increased. Thus, the company states there is a ready market for Macrobrachium Rosenbergii farming.
