However freshwater fisheries industry has become capable of achieving a huge success in spite of the unfavorable weather conditions, said Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture development Mahinda Amaraweera.
Marine and freshwater fisheries in 2016 together showed a progress of 2 per cent whereas freshwater fisheries exclusively show a progress of 4.1 per cent. It is expected that the rate will be exceeding 8 per cent in 2017 as a result of the development measures in freshwater fisheries taken by the Ministry, also mentioned the minister.
From January to October, Sri Lankan fisheries has marked a total fish production of 4, 32,270 mt out of which freshwater and aquaculture accounts for 59 040 mt. In 2015 it was 56 700 mt and it shows a progress of 4.1 per cent compared to the previous year.
Minister went on to say that the government has allocated Rs. 300 million for the Wewak Samaga Gamak program for the development of fresh water fisheries and the Indian government has made a grant of another Rs300 million.
