Fisheries exports to be the third highest income by 2020 - Minister

The revenue earned by the fisheries exports would be the third highest income in Sri Lanka by 2020, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says.

Amaraweera expressed this view while speaking to reporters following inking three agreements and a memorandum of understating (MoU) with the Norwegian government on Monday.

Amaraweera had also praised the support extended by Norway to strengthen Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry.

Meanwhile, Fisheries State Minister Dilip Wedarachchi has emphasized that establishment of fishery harbours should be planned taking in to account the ideas of fishermen and the latest technology. He also mentioned that certain fishery harbours have become unsuccessful which had been established without giving room to the ideas of fishermen, the Ministry said in a statement today.

“We were able to revoke the EU fish ban recently. This has paved the way for fishermen to get a higher price for their fish harvest. Many programmes are underway to economically strengthen the fishermen. As a government, we have pledged ourselves to develop the fisheries industry and the fisher community of this country”, said the State Minister.