Vehicle Monitoring System for first time
By Mohammed Naalir
* Minimising loss of life
* Reducing post harvest losses
Minister Senaratne presents a bicycle to a fisherman, while
Deputy Minister Susantha Punchi Nilame looks on |
Minister Senaratne launchec the Vessel Monitoring System. |
The fisheries Industry will enjoy the benefits of modern technical
know-how. The Fisheries Ministry plans to introduce for the first time a
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) by the end of this year, Ministry sources
said. With the introduction of the VMS, loss of life and property will
be minimised. Messages can be passed onto fishermen via satellite.
Sudden changes in weather conditions can be easily monitored and can be
given to fishermen who are at deep sea.
The VMS will also help to identify fish breeding zones. unregistered
vessels that trespass can also be traced.
Cabinet has granted permission to a proposal submitted by Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne to
introduce the VMS System.
Meanwhile, the Fisheries Ministry plans to introduce signal systems
to fishermen and it will help them to refrain from entering illegal
territory. When a fishing vessel enters illegal territory, the signal
system will send an alarm that the fisherman is out of the region. This
will help to stop illegal fishing and the entrance of illegal unreported
and unregistered fishing vessels into Sri Lankan waters.
A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be set up and
recommendations dealing with VMS will be carried out. The vessels for
VMS will be brought from Denmark. The VMS system will be in operation by
the end of this year, the Fisheries Ministry said.
There are 15 fishery harbours in operation and three are under
construction. Plans are afoot to construct four fishery harbours in the
Sri Lankan coastal belt.
Kalametiya, Beruwala, Codbay, Point Pedro, Kudawella, Puranawella,
Mirissa and Hikkaduwa fishery harbours will be developed according to
international standards.
Eighty seven anchorages were developed including the North and East
under the “Thotupala Aruna” concept to build 100 anchorages along the
coastal belt.
Accordingly five anchorages were developed in the Mannar district at
a cost of Rs. 38 million, three in Mullaitivu at a cost of Rs. 45.3
million, two in Trincomalee at a cost of Rs. 23. 6 million, two in Galle
at a cost of Rs. 11.1 million, two in Matara at a cost of Rs. 12.5
million, three in Hambantota at a cost of Rs. 33.5 million, three in
Batticaloa at a cost of Rs. 13.9 million, two in Ampara at a cost of Rs.
10 million and two in Puttalam at a cost of Rs. 11 million.
Meanwhile six anchorages were developed in the Chilaw area at a cost
of Rs. 25.2 million.
Following the gale force fatalities in the south, the Ministry has
relevant officers to be on vigil to apprise fishermen of such incidents.
Nearly 20 fishermen were killed in the gale force, an officer attached
to the Ministry said.
Special weather forecast is aired with the help of Meteorology
Department to fishermen after the 6.00 pm newscast on the Deewara
Navodhaya program of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.
Sayura Radio, operating under the supervision of the Fisheries
Ministry airs special weather forecasts for fishermen daily from
midnight 12 to 4.00 am every half hour, based on the prediction of the
Meteorology Department. The fishermen even in the deep sea can listen to
this service.
The Fisheries Ministry plans to purchase two Mother Vessels (MV) to
supply medicine, fuel, food, ice and other required items to the
multiday fishing boats at mid sea.
The MV will also bring fish harvest to the shore before the fish
perish. As fresh fish will be available in the market, the losses caused
due to perishing can be prevented. People also can consume fresh fish.
Two MVs are being built in China and are nearing completion. Another
MV will be built through Cey-Nor, according to Minister Senaratne.
Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that 8000 ponds will be
constructed throughout the country to breed fish with a view to
improving the fresh water fisheries industry. Attention will also be
focused on ornamental fish breeding.
The Fisheries Ministry has worked out plans to increase the fish
harvest to 686,000 metric tons by 2013 and the improvement of fresh
water fishing industry will also help to achieve this goal, the Ministry
said.
Dickovita Fishing harbour. |
The fisheries industry has generated 2.4 million direct and indirect
employment in the past. The industry has contributed to 1.179 percent
GDP in 2009. An income of Rs. 21,015 million was recorded in 2009.
Fisheries Ministry targets to double fish production by 2013.
The Fisheries Ministry has formulated the national fisheries sector
development strategy for 2010-2013 based on the Mahinda Chintana Idiri
Dekma. It has assumed that the Sri Lankan population would be 21,167
million by 2015. The Medical Research Institute (MRI) of Sri Lanka has
stated that a person consumes 60 gram fish per day.
Still the private sector is the giant in the fish sector. The
Government has taken to control the monopoly of private sector by
creating competitive environment in the market.
The Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) will purchase a large volume
of fish and sell it to consumers at a fair price. Further it has made
arrangements with cooperative societies and other fisher organisations
to supply fish on a continuing basis at a fair price.
Meanwhile, The CFC has taken moves to sell harvested fish in the same
district to avoid unwanted transport costs and to reduce fish from
perishing.
By Improving the marketing network, a large volume of fish could be
supplied to the local community, Ministry sources said.
Poor handling and improper post harvest practices may cause damage to
the quality of fish.
The Fisheries Ministry and the Food and Agricultural Organisation has
worked out plans to handle fish and reduce post harvest losses in
selected areas. |