Fish targets escape hook

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Marine production for 2010 falls short by 19,000 MT; around 400 MT lost to local fishermen due to altercations with Indian fishermen

By Senashia Ekanayake

The total marine fish production was 330,000 MT for 2010, approximately 19,000 MT less than the targeted amount by the Fisheries Ministry. An estimated 400 MT of fish were also lost due to contentions with Indian fishermen.

Speaking to Daily FT, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Senior Statistician J.A.D.B. Jayasooriya explained reasons as to why production had declined. He brought to light that the delay in the programme for manufacturing and distributing fishing boats in collaboration with Cey-Nor Foundation and the effect of La Nina caused a shortage in big fish.

The anticipated figures in 2010 for marine fishing – both off shore and coastal – were 154,160 MT and 195,140 MT respectively. Jayasooriya noted that the target for 2011 was 250,130 MT and 195,140 MT for off shore and coastal fishing respectively.

He went on to say that new programmes for the year included collaborating with a foreign organisation and bringing down more boats through the Sri Lanka Fisheries Corporation; standardising boats and purchasing necessary equipment required for fishing in international waters and in addition, eventually stopping illegal fishing activity taking place in Sri Lanka and India, where he noted that the Northern Province lost nearly 400 MT in fish. All of these programmes are to take place or be finalised within the course of three months.

Marine fish production during the period of 2007-2010 was 253,000 MT, 275,000 MT, 293,000 MT and 330,000 MT respectively. While the clearing of the northern and eastern waters proved to be favourable at first, the migration of fishermen in the east to the north resulted in stagnant production levels.

Inland fish produce reported was 51,000 MT and the Statistician remarked that it was the success achieved in the 2005-2010 programme that resulted in the development of infrastructure, training of fishermen, fisheries management and breeding of fish. The target for inland fishing for 2011 stands at 66,400 MT and new programmes include further breeding of fish.