EU and FAO support advancement of marine finfish farming in Sri Lanka
View(s):The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) is constructing a marine finfish hatchery in Tharmapuram, Batticaloa to fulfil the national objectives to promote marine finfish farming in the country. The hatchery is being constructed with funding from the European Union’s Support to District Development Programme (EU-SDDP). With total financial support of EUR 60 million, the EU-SDDP aims at supporting the Government of Sri Lanka’s thrust for economicand social development in seven conflict-affected districts covering half a million people, the EU said in a media release.
Construction of the hatchery commenced with the laying of the foundation stone by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mahinda Amaraweera last month. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister said that a great expectation for the fisheries industry in the country has been met with the construction of this first marine finfish hatchery in Sri Lanka. Highlighting the challenges of marine fish production in Sri Lanka, the Minister pointed out that construction of this hatchery will boost the industry and create employment opportunities in the Batticaloa district. NAQDA Chairman Upali Mohotti said that the Government will support the development of the fisheries industry in the Eastern Province and for this purpose funds have already been allocated by the treasury to construct an aquaculture industrial park in the Batticaloa district.
Addressing the gathering, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) Dr. Dharmassree Wijeratne said that the construction of the marine finfish hatchery is expected to be completed in a period of one year and once completed, the hatchery will produce around five million fingerlings annually. He reiterated that the construction of the finfish hatchery is considered a national project that would contribute to a 5 per cent increase in the total aquaculture production of the country. The finfish hatchery in Tharmapuram is being constructed on a 2 hectare plot of land under a Rs. 142 million-contract. The hatchery will be operated by NAQDA at the initial stages and thereafter run as a public-private sector partnership.