Priority to local fishermen in Tuna industry [September 18 2013]
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said priority will be given to local fishermen in selling tuna fish to recognized export companies.
The minister told this to representatives of multi-day trawler owners who stressed the need for getting the best prices for tuna fish, reducing taxes on fishing implements, construction of jetties and using modern technology to develop the industry in an environment-friendly manner.
Mr. Rajapaksa has said that the government will provide them with the opportunity of getting a good price when grading high quality fresh tuna fish, since there is a big demand for Sri Lanka tuna in the world market.
Plans were discussed in using information technology to daily check tuna export prices and also the quantity of fish that should be transported by each vessel before they reach land.
According to the Economic Development Ministry members of the Tuna Fish Exporters Association, Multi-day Trawler Owners Association as well as officials of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry and Finance Ministry were present at the meeting.