Financial Times

Fish monitoring system for entire coastal area

The Fisheries Minstry has turned its focus to the qualitative development of the industry, with future plans to set up a fish monitoring system to cover the entire coastal area together with eco-labelling for fish exports.

“A fish monitoring system will be established in the near future which is expected to cover the entire coastal area,” Piyasena Ranepura, Additional Secretary Development, Ministry of Fisheries told The Sunday Times FT, adding that implementing it would involve high costs.

He said that eco-labelling, which has been in discussion for some time would also be implemented soon.

He said while trade was dominated by private organisations, they were strictly supervised by the Ministry on quality certification through regular inspections and monitoring.

Further, industry sources said that the fish export business has grown and is picking up after the tsunami. A spokesperson from ‘Tropic Frozen Foods (Pvt) Limited, told The Sunday Times FT that their business had grown to about 30 percent more than last year and the company was able to double its capacity after modernising the factory to meet the demand.

The spokesperson for Tropic Frozen Foods also applauded initiatives taken by the Fisheries Ministry in assisting the industry through a six month temporary suspension of the Rs.15 per fish for a kilogram exported. “Earlier the fishing industry had to pay for fish landed and exported at Rs.15 per kilogram, but starting from May 1 this year, the Ministry has suspended it,” he said. Adding that the company would be focusing more on the promising European market.

However, the industry also believes the government should contribute more in its overall development. Another industry source said the government needs to look into infrastructure facilities, and bringing in of foreign vessels and train Sri Lankan captains to survive in the international sea.

This would benefit the entire industry in obtaining a proper supply of fish even in the off-seasons.

A study by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, on the need for better management techniques to reap long term benefits in the industry has been highlighted. “With 77 percent of fish consumed worldwide as food being supplied by developing countries, the value of international fish trade has increased and Sri Lanka having greater potential in this industry ought to consider sustainable development in promoting fish exports,” the study said.

Mr. Ranepura said despite thousands of lives of fisherman being lost by the tsunami, the fishing industry has received a boost due to involvement of many NGO’s and foreign institutions.

He said that in general the distribution system was enhanced due to numerous vessels donated by these institutions.

He also stated that a mechanism would be developed to reach small scale fishermen and to provide an overall development in terms of vessel requirements, private benefits, etc is expected to be launched in another three to four months.

Fisheries projects this year

Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC), in a bid to upgrade the industry has proposed several projects to be carried out this the year, with an investment of more than Rs.300 million.

Some of the projects billed to begin are given below.

* Procurement of two mother vessels engaged in catching fish in deep sea with an investment of Rs.200 million and refurbishing the cold storage complex at Mutwal with Rs.30 million.

* Modernisation of the Palaviya ice-plant with an investment of Rs. 30 million will also take place this year.

* Procure two fishing vessels with modern equipment in deep sea fishing costing Rs. 40 million under Tsunami Aid by the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).

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