Valachchenai fishery harbour opens next month

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The Valachchenai fishery harbour will begin commercial operations next month, said Asian Development Bank (ADB), Project Manager, Valaichchenai and Cod Bay, Percy Samarasinghe at a media tour to the site last week.

He said work on the harbour rehabilitation project is nearing completion and added that commercial operations will commence as scheduled.

The valachchenai Fishery Harbour

The fishery harbour which is 1.7 hectares in extent is a sub project of the North East Coastal Community Development Projects (NECCDEP) funded by the ADB.

The project estimated to cost around Rs. 430 million would benefit over 12,000 families in the area. The project implementing agency is the Ceylon Fishery Harbour Corporation.

The Valachchennai fishery harbour began operations in 1981 but due to security reasons activities at the harbour came to a halt in 1991. The harbour had not been in use for nearly 20 years and as a result the loss to the local fisheries sector was enormous. Resident Engineer, LHI Consultant, A.R.M. Ismath said the harbour has a capacity to berth around 500 boats and added that the new quay constructed will provide easy access to the harbour and berthing facilities for boats.

"Fishermen faced many obstacles to moor boats, unload, process and transport fish.Lack of cool rooms and facilities to repair boats aggravated the problem resulting in many fishermen giving up their occupation", Ismath said. The lack of knowledge among fishermen in the area led to unhygienic standards in storing and processing.Haphazard dumping of garbage and fish refuse caused severe environmental problems to the area.

An auction hall, store and freezing rooms, supply of fuel and water for boats, vehicle parking, area to repair fishing nets and easy access to the harbour are some of the facilities in the harbour. Ismath said training programs will be conducted on post harvest techniques, deep sea fishing, boat handing methods, safety and hygienic practices and alternative livelihood sources.

The Valachchennai fishery harbour is three kilometres from the sea and lies within the Valachchenai/Koraleipattu Divisions of the Batticaloa district.

Sri Lankan port expansion has grabbed the limelight with the first stage of the Hambantota Port to be completed next week and Oluvil to begin commercial operations by end of this.