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| Sunday, 26 October 2003 |
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Inland fisheries islandwide to be developed by ELMO LEONARD A comprehensive plan to develop marine and inland fisheries throughout the island including those under LTTE control and improve the living standards of those dependent on fisheries for their livelihood, will begin in November. Funds will be provided by the Regaining Sri Lanka programme, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Mahinda Wijesekera, said. "We have appealed for finances due through the Tokyo parley in June, where Sri Lanka qualified for $4.5 billion in assistance," he said. As a first step, under Gazette Notification next month, the island's 700 FCS - Fisheries Corporative Societies (most marine societies) under which 200,000 active fishermen are registered, will be replaced by 1000 Fish Landing Societies (FLS). With more emphasis on the development of inland fisheries, there will be 650 marine societies and 350 inland societies. Through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, the FLS will be declared a Fisheries Management Areas (FMA) governed by fisherfolk elected by its members. In cooperation with the Fisheries Ministry, these societies will develop fish landing areas, obtain fishing craft for its members and fishing gear as well. Welfare activities including the provision of houses and roads, will also be undertaken, the Minister said. To get started, each FLS will receive Rs 1 million next month, Director General of the ministry, G Piyasena confirmed. Most of the one million fisherfolk in the country continue to be exploited by the middlemen and lack housing, sanitation, education and infrastructure including roadways. Marketing of fish will be encouraged through the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC). CFC currently purchases a mere three percent of the island's total fish production. Minister Wijesekera has instructed the CFC to increase its number of outlets by 100 in urban settlements within 12 months and improve coldroom facilities to accommodate more catch. A pension scheme for fishermen, replacing the current one which is hardly known among the clan, is also on the cards. |
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