NARA to make 2013 a year of service to the nation:

Tough laws to protect fish hygiene

By Mohammed Naalir

Destroying an organisation's image is easy but to build recognition and a good name for the industry requires hard work and dedication. With NARA's qualified and devoted staff I am sure 2013 would be an incentive to give more valuable services to the nation and continue the path to progress, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Chairman Dr. S.G. Samarasundera said in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Could you explain the role of NARA?

A: NARA is the only research arm of the fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry, which carries out surveys in the marine industry round the year.

NARA consists of several divisions such as, the Institute of Post Harvest Technology (IPHT), Oceanography Division (OD), Inland Aquatic Resources and Aquaculture Division (IARD), Information Technology Division (ITD), Socio-economic and Marketing Division (SED) and Marine Biological Resources Division (MBRD).

NARA extends support to boost the economy of the country and exerts influence on the livelihood improvement of people depending on the fisheries industry.

The Oceanography Centre (OC) is striving to understand the ocean with a view to assist the industry and make use of the resources for economic development.

It seeks to improve livelihood and give timely warnings of unexpected hazards in the ocean.

The (OC) monitors the ocean status, in addition to being alert about earthquakes worldwide and inform responsible institutions and departments regarding potential tsunamis and promote pre-preparation for ocean based disasters. The Institute of Post Harvest Technology (IPHT) is an important division of NARA. It is responsible to improve the quality of fish brought to the market. It imposes regulations on wholesale and retail sellers to maintain the quality of the fish.

The IPHT also provides laboratory and consultancy service on microbiological assessment, chemical analysis and quality control. The quality control laboratory provides testing service to the fisheries industry. NARA provides this service since 2004.

The Socio-economic division looks at the areas on how to improve the social status and livelihood of fishermen and their families. This division maintains a close relationship with the fishermen and inquires into their well-being.

Q: Could you explain the future plans of NARA?

A: NARA plans to introduce commercially viable new fish species this year and introduce different fish breeding methods.

Tough laws will be implemented to protect the hygiene and freshness of fish. A mechanism will be drafted with the help of the Fisheries Department.

NARA hopes to provide the findings of research results to universities which conduct fisheries related courses.

Q: What is your comment about last year's project?

A: NARA successfully completed several projects last year while implementing various fisheries sector development projects. Within a short period of time NARA has recorded a progress of over 110 percent. We utilised internally generated funds on development projects implemented by NARA in addition to the Rs. 65 million received from the Treasury. Last year we entered into agreements with China, Seychelles, Japan and Korea to conduct joint researches.

For the first time an international hydrographic conference was held in Sri Lanka last year. Representatives from 57 countries attended the summit.

Q: Could you explain the role of the Research Vessel (RV) "Samudrika"?

A: NARA deployed its sophisticated research vessel RV "Samudrika" last year. The vessel has the ability to conduct a wide range of ocean based research. Samudrika provides valuable service for the improvement of the fisheries sector of the country. Deployment of such a vessel will certainly help develop Sri Lanka a maritime hub in Asia making "Mahinda Chinthanaya" a reality. During the 1980s, a medium sized vessel named RV "Samudra Maru" was used to conduct NARA's ocean based research. In 1997 it was replaced by SV "SAYURI" which also engaged in research along the Sri Lankan sea bed. Unfortunately the vessel overturned during the tsunami in 2004. Since then, NARA has had no vessel to conduct important surveys and sea borne research.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne and NARA took steps to deploy the research vessel Samudrika to conduct ocean survey for NARA.

The 25 metre long and 6 metre wide vessel was built in Taiwan at a cost of Rs. 250 million. She has been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), Multi beam Echo Sounders, CTD, Side Scan Sonars, DGPS, a Wet Lab and a Dry Lab. The vessel has the capability to collect physical parameter of the water column up to depths of 3000m.

The data collected by the research vessel will be utilized for publications of hydrographic data and nautical information on near shore, off shore and inland waters. The sea borne research activities planned by this vessel will enhance the applications of hydrographic and oceanographic data in the advancement of the sector and would be an advantage for the development of aquatic resources and the fishing industry of Sri Lanka.

Q: Can you explain the National Nautical Charting Program of NARA?

A: NARA has already launched the National Nautical Charting Program to update and produce new nautical charts around Sri Lankan waters. Under this program all nautical charts of main sea ports such as Colombo, Galle and Trincomalee and other Fishery Harbours such as Tangalle, Beruwala, Mirissa, Weligama were updated. NARA has developed the new nautical charts for the approach of the Hambantota Port. The deployment of this vessel will enhance NARA's capabilities in sea bed mapping which could cover the entire EEZ of Sri Lanka.

Oceanography Studies in Canyons, resource survey on coastal habitats in shallow waters, production measurement in light regimes of offshore waters in Sri Lanka and various other surveys will be conducted by this vessel.

Q: Can you explain the awareness programs of NARA?

A: NARA held scientific sessions last year where over 500 university students, private and public sector officers involved in the fisheries industry participated. NARA plans to utilise Rs. 40 million internally generated for research activities in addition to the funds from the Treasury.

Plans are afoot to set up an artificial sea-cucumber insemination centre in the North. Surveys on monsoons will be conducted by NARA this year. The Scientists hope to distribute expensive fingerling to fish breeders.

Q: What is your comment on statements by media about the activities of NARA?

A: During 2012 NARA got very positive media coverage on the activities which were useful nationally and internationally. Most media organisations boosted NARA's image by taking its progress into consideration. As a result NARA's 2012 year progress was above 100%. For this I thank my staff and the positive media coverage in taking our message to the public and promoting NARA.

Q: What are your comments on NARA's consultancy work and self generated incomes from external projects?

A: NARA has a pool of highly qualified research officers specialised in various areas in the industry. It is our long time practice to do components from national projects and generate income for the organisation. These consultancies are important for the organisation and for the officers involved since it gives more exposure and recognition to the industry.

Although we are a Treasury funded organisation, it's always good to promote self generation of income and use it for research and related work of the organisation.

By doing so we could be self sufficient for at least some of our work and reduce the burden on the government.During 2012, we have included Rs. 30 million from the self generated incomes to our yearly budget and we plan to include Rs. 40 million for the year 2013. This is a task which requires hard work and needs to be target oriented.

Other than the external project consultancy work, NARA generates some income from test services done by our ISO certified lab on a regular basis. Consultancy work and income generation has varied from year to year with some years having large projects and others with a few. It needs to be closely monitored, supported and promoted if we are to achieve our targets.

Q: How do you utilise the funds you generate?

A: Generally the funds go through the usual NARA accounts process and is audited regularly.

At the completion of the project, the total expenses are calculated and the remaining is divided into 2 sectors. Even 30 to 50 percent of the remaining funds are taken as NARA royalty which is used for NARA's development work.

The balance after the royalty, is divided between the staff. This is done on the basis of 70 percent for the directly involved staff and 30 percent for the indirect staff. The percentage to be divided is decided by the governing board by taking each project into consideration.

To make the projects more organised and regularise the financial and audit systems for generated incomes, we have decided to form a new unit to handle the external consultancy work. This I am sure will regularise the work and have easy access for the management to monitor the physical and financial status accurately.

So as I said earlier, NARA's external consultancy work is good not only for the organisation but also for each individual officer who could make an extra income from the hard work they do as research officers.

As a Government organisation transparency is very important in projects.