Another new program was implemented by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources with the objective of increasing export revenue of Sri Lanka in the Chilaw District.
This program was held under the patronage of the Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte, and it was successful with the participation of officers of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, members of associations representing small fishing vessel owners and fish exporters. The program primarily focuses on obtaining quality fish for export. Accordingly, small vessel owners (one-day fishing vessel owners) engaged in the export fishing industry and fish exporters are integrated. At this occasion, the process of selecting high-quality fish and directing them for export was discussed extensively.
Main Objectives of the Program
This program will provide the opportunity for the fishermen to sell their fish resources to the exporters directly without the intervention of intermediaries, by directly connecting them. Likewise, the exporters will directly inform the fishermen about the types of fish suitable for export, the required sizes and weights. This will prevent the catching of small, immature fish, which will be very important for the future development of the fishing industry. This will even give the opportunity for the fisherman to know directly about the prices of the fish purchased by each exporter.
In addition, the fishermen will be educated on the manner the fish should be used for exportation, packaging and how ice should be used for preservation. The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will provide training to the fishermen on fish processing, packaging and other technical matters. It is expected that separate societies will be established to collect fish for export with the collective of fishermen who fish in small vessels, and steps will be taken to explore the possibility of providing financial and material assistance to the members of such societies to be established at the district level and to provide the necessary facilities. Furthermore, steps will be taken to educate the fishermen about the prices of fish purchased for export on a daily basis.
This program will not only provide a higher income to the fishing community, but it will also provide an opportunity for exporters to export premium-quality fish suitable for the international market. In the future, the department expects to educate all small fishing vessel owners and provide knowledge on bringing better fish to land.
Extensive distribution and resource management
This program is planned to be implemented in every district of the island in the future. While it is expected to increase the foreign exchange earnings of the entire country, special attention will also be paid to the management and conservation of fishery resources by harvesting only mature fish.
A large number of people from the fishing community of Chilaw district, representing officials from the Quality Control Division of the Fisheries Department, fish exporters, and small-vessel fishermen, participated in this event.
