The Second District Fisheries Coordination Committee Meeting, convened to identify the challenges faced by the fishing community in the Gampaha District and provide prompt solutions, was held in Negombo this morning (17) under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean  Resources Ratna Gamage.

The meeting, attended by Deputy Minister of Labour and Chairman of the District Coordination Committee, Mahinda Jayasinghe and Deputy Minister of Sports, Sugath Thilakaratne, reached several key policy decisions to address the issues affecting the Negombo Lagoon.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Minister Ratna Gamage stated that steps would be taken to demarcate the boundaries of the Negombo Lagoon using GPS coordinates and gazette them at the earliest opportunity to ensure the lagoon’s protection. It was also agreed to establish a joint mechanism comprising the Divisional Secretariats, the Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resources Management, the Central Environmental Authority, the Urban Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Police to minimize environmental impacts on the lagoon.

The Deputy Minister further stated:

“There are about a thousand families engaged in the dry fish (Karawala) industry in Negombo and Kuttiduwa. Our Ministry has decided to develop Kuttiduwa as a special Karawala Production Village to enable these products to be processed hygienically using modern technology and exported to international markets. Training programmes to support this initiative have already commenced with the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).”

The Deputy Minister also instructed the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Police to strictly enforce the law against those using prohibited fishing methods in the Negombo Lagoon. In addition, it was decided to expedite infrastructure development at the Dikowita and Negombo fishery harbours and to urgently obtain feasibility study reports for the establishment of several new fishery harbours in the Kapungoda, Wattala and Hendala areas.

Gampaha District Secretary, Lalinda Gamage, senior officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, officials representing NARA and NAQDA, as well as a large number of representatives from fisheries associations, participated in the event.