The Government is to introduce a fisheries cooperation management programme with new laws where relevant authorities and the fishing community will be involved in managing the resources of the respective maritime zones. The project is called the CE National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Phase 2/II Fisheries Core Management Implementation of which the National Coordinator is a scientist at NARA, Upul Liyanage. The project is funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Local scientists, marine biologists, ocean educators, whale researchers and conservationists say that the pilot project would first target areas with export-oriented fish including spiny lobster, chank, shrimp, marine ornamental fish and sea cucumber, all of which are threatened species and resources.