(UTV|COLOMBO) – While breeding centers are being constructed to increase the production of fish fingerlings up to 150 million by 2020, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development is expecting a fish harvest of 256,200 metric tons by 2025.Chief Government Whip, Minister Gayantha Karunathilake revealed this in Parliament yesterday (20) in response to an oral question by Parliamentarian Ashoka Priyantha directed to the Fisheries Minister.
Lands have been identified for the preparation of ponds for fish farming and fresh water fish farming will be propagated in those ponds. The fresh water fish farming has already commenced in the lands identified as technically suitable for fish farming in the Northwestern Province.
To develop sustainable fish farming in all reservoirs 300 million fish fingerlings are required and currently 82 million fish fingerlings are produced. The Ministry expects to increase the production up to 150 million fingerlings by 2020. New breeding centers are currently under construction while the existing caners will be expanded.
In order to increase the fresh water shrimp production in the Trincomalee District, fish breeding centers have been established in Kalarawa and Udawalawe.
Further, new aquaculture development breeding center is being constructed in Sevanapitiya in Polonnaruwa District and measures have been taken to expand the existing aquaculture centers at Kalawewa, Inginiyagala and Udawalawe.
A marine fish breeding center has been constructed in the Batticaloa district to promote aquaculture in the coastal areas. During the past three years the government spent Rs. 1.494 billion for the expansion and development of breeding centers and Rs. 1.015 billion has been allocated for this year.The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry with the cooperation of private sector expects to produce 150 fish fingerlings by year 2020 and another 150ion by year 2025 and populate all reservoirs in the country with fish fingerlings with the expectation of harvesting 256,200 metric tons of fish by 2025, the Ministry said.
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