National program for the protection of fishing vessels and fisherman at sea

November 08, 2024

Development - Provincial

National program for the protection of fishing vessels and fisherman at sea

May 05, 2014

This is the first time that a national program is being put into action under safety of fishermen and fishing vessels at a national level. It is therefore very important that every fishermen is made aware of this program. We are planning an awareness program on this subject through the national fisheries conference for their protection, first aid and assistance of fishermen. The fisheries sector while supporting the livelihoods of a considerable number of fishermen and their families is also a foreign exchange earning enterprise.

This was disclosed at a discussion held in the Fisheries Ministry recently by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senarathna.

The program introduced last year by the Fisheries Ministry is funded through Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) trust-fund project, the Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme (RFLP) for South and Southeast Asia. While this is a great step forward into the protection of the lives of those engaged in the fisheries industry subsequent monitoring is also vital.

The National Aquatic Resources Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Fisheries Harbour Corporation, the Sri Lanka Navy, the Sri Lanka coastal conservation Department, Sri Lanka Airforce, Sri Lanka Police, the Telecommunication REgulatory Commission and the Fisheries community are among the Governmental and private organizations that are directly involved in the implementation of this National Program.