Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2018-04-10

Introduction of a New National Policy pertaining to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector

- The draft on the New National Policy pertaining to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector has been prepared by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, having sought the views of all stakeholders including the fishermen, aquaculture farmers and exporters and academics and the general public, in accordance with the approval granted by the Cabinet to formulate such a policy.

The new policy has focused on the sustainable management of the fisheries industry and aquaculture farming with equitable distribution of benefits. The policy provides provisions for engagement in the fisheries industry in accordance with the International Standards, elimination of illegal fishing, introduction of appropriate new technology, minimizing of the post harvest losses, increasing of the national fish consumption, promotion of fish product exports and enhancing the socio-economic status of the fisher community. As such, the proposal made by Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, to present the proposed new National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy in Parliament, to seek the views of all Members of Parliament, was approved by the Cabinet.