Aquaculture development projects from NARA

by Mohammed NAALIR

National Aquatic Research and Development Agency (NARA), the research arm of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry, carries out research activities to implement development projects in the aqua industry.

NARA has successfully implemented seaweed projects in the Northern, Eastern and North Western Provinces, Chairman, NARA, Dr. S.G. Samarasundera told the Sunday Observer.

He said NARA has implemented this program in collaboration with Korea International Cooperation Agency and Korean Maritime Institute.

During the study carried out in the areas, it was observed that there is great potential for aquaculture development as far as resources availability in those areas are concerned, according to Dr. Samarasundera.

The aquatic resources in the selected districts could be used for livelihood development by their sustainable utilisation, he noted.

The success of the aquaculture development projects in Sri Lanka is mainly dependent on the availability of the local market as well as the international market, the Chairman said.

Besides, there should be a mechanism to promote new aquaculture products among the local community and introduce new post-harvest technology methods for the farmers to enable them to fetch higher prices for their products, Dr. Samarasundera added.