GOVERNMENT BOOST FOR DRAGNET FISHING IN THE OFFING

Report of committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to awaited

State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Dilip Wedarachchi said dragnet fishery in the country was a vital area of the fisheries industry and that an effective plan would be implemented to uplift it.

He told representatives of the All Ceylon Drag Net Owners’ Co-operative Society that dragnet owners and fisherfolk engaging in that mode of fishing were facing a series of issues that needed urgent attention if the fisheries industry was to be developed to meet the increasing demand for fish in local and foreign markets. He stressed the need to introduce modern technology to boost drag net fishery to provide a better future to fisherfolk.

The state minister said he was pleased to meet the dragnet owners and to focus attention on that vial area of fishery which had been neglected. The minister inquired from the officials present regarding the progress of the committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to look into dragnet fishery problems and to make proposals to resolve them under the on-going sustainable development programme.

State Minister Wedarachchi promised to discuss with the Coast Conservation Department

State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Dilip Wedarachchi said dragnet fishery in the country was a vital area of the fisheries industry and that an effective plan would be implemented to uplift it

and other government institutions to work out an effective mechanism to improve dragnet fishery. He pointed out that several foreign governments had pledged support to develop our fisheries industry.