Currently there is a high demand in the global market for the freshwater fish from Sri Lanka, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera says. During an observation visit to the Kala Wewa reservoir recently, the Minister pointed out that freshwater fish consumption fulfills the daily protein need at a high rate whereas marine fish fails due to its loss of quality caused by long term storage in cold rooms. To promote the freshwater fish for consumption, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development has initiated a development program of freshwater fish breeding in inland reservoirs numbering about 10 000. Stocking of fish fingerling in fresh water reservoirs, providing fresh water fishers with canoes, nets and other fishing gears and facilitating fishers enabling them to earn a high income through fresh water fisheries are the prime objectives of this program. Minister Amaraweera further mentioned that since the fish density in the sea is getting decreased, freshwater fisheries industry has to be prioritized. He pointed out that no reservoir in the North-Central province was harvested with fish during last 10 years, resulting in low fish production in freshwater fisheries. However, fish breeding is being carried on in fish hatcheries continuously. Apart from the freshwater fish, a high demand prevails for freshwater lobster and shrimp. Accordingly, 10,000 inland reservoirs will be harvested with lobster and shrimp in order to meet the demand, said the Minister. During his visit, Minister Amaraweera presented 17 fiberglass boats each costing Rs. 2 million and 300 nylon fishing nets to the fishermen. Use of Monofilament nets has been banned in fresh water fisheries and following the rules the fishermen during the event burnt all the Monofilament nets possessed by them. Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake, and Fisheries Minister of North-Central Province T.B Ratnayake also attended the event.
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