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Sunday, 1 January 2012

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Vehicle Monitoring System for first time

* 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.


Dickovita Fishing harbour
 
Fishing boats to be distributed among fishermen


Bicycles with containers for fishermen

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.

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