Workshop on aquaculture development

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) with its partners AB Partners AS in the Sri Lanka-Norway Business Matchmaking Progam (BMMP), organised a workshop at the CCC boardroom. The focus of the workshop was to discuss the future developments in aquaculture in Sri Lanka. Aquaculture is considered to be the predominant sector for future growth internationally and represents interesting business opportunities for the private sector. In the international scene aquaculture production is almost catching up with the wild catch.

The head table at the workshop

Members of the fish farming community, officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Authority (NARA), Universities and other organisations involved in the fishery sector were present. Chairman, AB Partners AS, Inge Reithaug said that next year the focus will be on initiating aquaculture projects.

Chairman of NAQDA, Jayantha Chandrasoma made a presentation on the numerous types of aquaculture projects that are considered commercially viable in the sea and inland.

Fishery and aquaculture expert from Norway, Asbjorn Drenstig who conducted the workshop said that Norway has made huge strides in the aquaculture sector to become a world leader.

He said that this workshop originated from the findings of the delegation that visited Aqua-Nor international exhibition in Norway, organised by the BMMP. The second session of the workshop consisted of a group exercise to discuss Sri Lanka's past experiences in shrimp farming and find ways to avoid the problems that crippled the industry.