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| Sunday, 13 June 2004 |
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New plans for the industry : Fishing in international waters by Chanuka Mannapperuma Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Chandrasena Wijesinghe in an interview with the Sunday Observer revealed plans to explore further deep sea fishing and enter international seas with a view to increase the volume of fish catch to meet the country's requirements. He stressed that it was necessary to introduce new techniques replacing the traditional methods to ensure maximum utilisation from limited resources."It is prerequisite that we should improve the technical know how while providing advanced and modern fishing gear to make the industry economically viable." Here are excerpts from the interview with Minister Wijesinghe on his future plans to develop the fisheries sector. What benefits do you hope to give the consumers? We hope to set up fish stalls in the central region as well as rural areas of the country ,to provide a smooth supply of fish to consumers of these areas.At present since fish sales are done through the middleman the prices are high which makes it un affordable to the average consumers. Therefore we intend to use the direct methods and purchase the fish from fisherman and distribute it to these stalls. What are the new facilities that you are going to introduce to fisherman? The standard of living among the fisher folk in our country is very low.Initially we are planning to develop their self confidence and economic standards.As a means of achieving this, we have planned to give funds to fishermen.If any fisherman suffers any injuries, the Fisheries Ministry,boat- owners,foreign investors and philanthropists will support financially. Earlier government gave very large amounts of funds to fishermen to build their houses.Unfortunately the money did not reach them. So their livelihood is still very poor.The new government hopes to gradually release funds so they can build their houses. At present fishermen, are not provided with an insurance scheme.Since the only asset that they have is the boat, which is not accepted as a collateral.We hope to introduce an insurance scheme for them in the near future, the Minister said. What steps have you taken to develop the fishing industry? The fisheries sector at present provides a livelihood to around 2,50,000 people.We are doing research with NARA, the fisheries industry and Fisheries Department to promote the industry. Our fishermen are still using traditional methods, so we hope to introduce new systems instead of traditional methods. Now we have only 200 nautical miles for fishing.To get a good catch, and benefit economically, we have to go further , We have to join foreign associations to use long-line fishing systems with which we can enter international seas.We are planning to get 20 boats for this purpose. What are the future plans? We have fish ports around the country,but are not getting much profit at present.With Asian Development Bank assistance, we are going to set up new ports in Chilaw,Ambalangoda,Kalametiya and Hambantota before the end of next year. Also, before next May, we hope to introduce the first Sri Lankan canned fish product, funded by a Russian association and the Ministry of Fisheries .For this we hope to set up office at Modera. |
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