|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 4 May 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
A fortune through lobsters from the deep by Elmo Leonard Sri Lanka has an untapped resource of deep sea lobsters within its waters, which could fetch over Rs 5,000 per kilogram, a survey conducted by an Indian firm revealed.
The survey also showed the presence of a large, yet unidentified species of prawn. These rich resources have never been harvested, as Sri Lanka lacks the technology to fish in deep waters. Scientific studies undertaken within Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone had shown the presence of a lobster species identified as Puerulus sewelli. This rare species, when processed, would fetch a premium price in the United States market, exporters said. Last December, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources entered a joint venture with Nikkanthi Sea Foods of Visakapatnam, India to conduct a survey for deep sea lobsters. The rare species of lobster is believed to be densely distributed off the Great and Little Basses in the South Eastern coast, and off Kalpitiya and Mannar in the North Western coast. However, the catch per two-hour trawling operation was only 25 to 30 kilograms of lobsters, suggesting that more studies have to be undertaken. Exporters said that shallow water lobsters fetch around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per kilogram. The deep sea, large prawn variety, which found its way into the trawling nets during the survey, is larger than the cultivated or wild caught shrimp variety, found in Sri Lanka's shallow waters. Shrimp exported from the island currently fetch around Rs 300 per kilogram. The survey was implemented by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), with Dr D.S. Jayakody of the agency's Fishing Technology Division acting as chief investigator. The trawling was carried out at a depth of 200 to 300 metres, roughly around 15 miles from the coast, Dr Jayakody said. The trawlers needed for harvesting lobsters would have to be 20 to 25 metres long, equipped with commercial trawling facilities, which Sri Lanka lacks. Information gathered during the survey is being computed by NARA, and the Indian company. NARA is keen to learn and transfer technology for exploiting deep sea lobsters and prawns to local fishing companies, Dr Jayakody said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
