Fishing gear for Northern fishermen

by P.Krishnaswamy

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has taken steps to assist the war-displaced Northern fishermen to return to their profession with provision of boats, nets, other fishing gear and cold room facilities, Minister of Fishereis Rajitha Senaratne told the Sunday Observer.

The ministry recently opened up its district office in Jaffna and the National Aquatic Resources, Research and Development Agency (NARA) will follow suit for conducting research and testing the quality of water of lagoons, he said.

Three fishing harbours are to be set up in Karainagar, Myliddy and Point Pedro soon and the feasibility studies on these projects are now under way, the Minister said. The cold room facilities at Mullaitivu and Karainagar and about 1,500 fishing boats, nets and other fishing gear were destroyed in the long drawn out war. The CEYNOR boat-building yard was also destroyed, The Ministry has now initiated steps to restore the cold room facilities and the boat-building yard, the Minister said, adding that cold room facilities will be provided in Jaffna and Kilinochchi.