Plans to increase fish export earnings

‘Sri Lanka earns over Rs 21 billion by exporting fish to European countries annually and plans are underway to increase export earnings to Rs.50 billion in 2013,’ Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne inspecting the Taprobane Sea Foods factory in the Mannar district

The Sri Lanka national fisheries sector development strategy for 2011-2013 has been formulated based on the Mahinda Chinthana Future Vision programme and all arrangements will be made by the Fisheries Ministry to introduce Vessels Monitoring System (VMS) to the fishery industry in the near future. About 400 Mother Vessels to the fishery industry too will, be added.

Minister Senaratne was addressing the opening ceremony of the Taprobane Sea Foods Pvt,Ltd’s new branch in Mannar recently.

The Taprobane Sea Foods company is very popular internationally for crab exports with a markets in the USA and several other European countries.

Fish production factories of this company have been established in several areas such as Mannar, Jaffna and Negombo. This is a venture with New Zealand.

“All measures will be taken by the Fisheries Ministry along with the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation to expand the network of CFC fish outlets while establishing 250 stalls island wide which will help consumers to purchase fish at a fair price”, the minister further added.