The Accelerated resettlement program in the North has helped to revive the fishing industry in the Northern Province, the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.
"The project will provide assistance to rebuild the damaged small fish landing centres in these areas as it covers all 15 Fisheries Districts. There were small scale fisheries being operated by over 37,000 small FRP boats and non-mechanized craft located in over 1,000 fish landing centres in Sri Lanka which contributed around 50 percent to the production," Dr. Senaratne said.
Many opportunities have been created to develop the fishing industry with the liberation of the Northern and Eastern districts from the LTTE, he said.
The balance is being produced by 3,700 multi-day boats and one day in-board engined boats operated through fishery harbours and anchorages.
“ These statistics suggest that there is a strong justification to support development of common facilities in the small fish landing centres at relatively smaller investment. This would in turn create additional employment opportunities in the small scale fishery sector”, he said.