A meeting with Provincial Fisheries Ministers was held on 22ndSep at the ministry auditorium under the chairmanship of Hon. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to discuss matters to be prioritized in developing fisheries industry in the forthcoming year 2017. Hon. Minister at this event made a special request from the Provincial Fisheries Ministers to take measures to rescue fish in small reservoirs at who face risk of dying due to the drought and releasing them to safer water bodies. Ongoing drought conditions in Sri Lanka have caused drastic depletion of water levels of small reservoirs in Southern, Eastern, Northern, North- Western and North Central Provinces and specially in Hmabantota district. Many species of fish are dying off stuck in the mud in the dried up tanks. Thus, Hon. Minister requested from provincial fisheries ministers to launch a programme in protecting such fish by releasing them in safer water bodies since many among the dying fish are endemic species of Sri Lanka. Hon. Minister also emphasized that the Ministry has taken multiple measures in developing fresh water fisheries and marine fisheries as well, in the year 2016 by promoting marine and fresh water fish breeding, introducing new technology for the industry and by developing fisheries harbours along with infrastructures. He also requested for the continued support of the Fisheries Ministers of every Province of the country for the future endeavours in the upcoming year. Hon Sate Minister and the Secretary to the Ministry were also present at this event.
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.