COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Mahinda Amaraweera requested the exporters of seafood to take measures to export high quality fish in order to get the maximum economic benefits from the revocation of the European Union’s ban on Sri Lanka’s fish exports.
At a meeting held at the Ministry with the fish exporters last week, the Minister informed them on the measures to be taken subsequent to the lift of fish ban and on the problematic situation encountered in importing wet or frozen fish to Sri Lanka.
The Minister stressed that lift of the fish ban was a tedious work by the present government and it was brought to fruition by the commitment of all parties including the President during his tour to Europe and the mediation of the Prime Minister, and the ministries of fisheries and foreign trade. Hence it is the responsibility of everyone to secure this hard earned achievement, emphasized the Minister.
He made a special request from exporters to take measures to export and import healthy and quality fish conforming to the international regulations.
Only a limited number permits will be granted for fishing in international seas, the Minister informed the exporters. Out of the 1,645 permits, 1,400 permits have already been granted and only a few remain.
Presently fish production from the international seas are insufficient since the amount of fish harvested by small fishing vessels which are given permits is limited, and they lack proper storage facilities to carry fish ashore preserving its quality.
No permits will be given to foreign investors and the government will mediate in facilitating local investors in case they plan to fish using large scale vessels. Working jointly with foreign investors will be possible if needed, said the Minister.
However the Minister requested local investors to try the fisheries sector in their investments since a sea based economy is currently being popularized throughout the world and fishing permits can be obtained only by local investors.
Even though Sri Lanka is surrounded by sea, production of fish harvest adequate to meet the domestic consumption has become impossible. Last year the country imported 120,000 metric tons of fish causing a huge outflow of domestic income and therefore only quality fish should be imported.
The Minister also said that certain fish stalls were reported to be selling low quality fish which are not suitable for consumption. Some stalls are even selling fish which are imported to make dried fish, the Minister said. He also emphasized that everyone need to act legally in their work and bear the responsibility of securing the benefit granted.
