Unprecedented growth in fishing industry in North - Minister Rajitha Senarathne

The seven percent contribution to the National Fish Production by the Northern Province at the end of the 30 year war has increased to 21 percent due to the facilities provided for the Northern Fisheries by the government, said Fisheries by the government, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minster Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. He was addressing a meeting in Mannar to mark the opening of several community centres, fish breeding centres and the distribution of fishing craft, nets and other fishing gear among fishermen in the area recently.

Dr. Senaratne said they spent the last two days in the North catering to needs of fisher folk in the area.

Boars and nets were distributed among those engaged in fishing in three reservoirs in Vavuniya and fingerlings were introduced to facilitate the development of inland fishing.

Twelve fish ponds have been built under the Yoda wewa project utilizing Rs. 8.2 million provided by Japan. Another 100 boats will be distributed in the Mannar District. More than 75,000 fingerlings would be introduced to the Yoda wewa under an NACDA scheme.