A discussion organized by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka was held in France yesterday (23rd of June).
This important meeting was attended by Dr. B. K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Dr. Kanapathipillai Arulanandan, Director General of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), and Rear Admiral Serasinghe Yapa Rajapriya, Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Department. Here, a fruitful discussion was held with the Director of the Centre European de Formation Continue Maritime (CEFCM), Mr. Alain Pomez, Deputy Director and Specialist in Oceanography and Ocean Economics, Dr. Mustafa El Kettab, and the Development Officer, Mr. Christophe Hervey (a former senior officer in the French Army and Navy and a maritime security expert), on collaborative projects to combat illegal fishing and develop the blue economy of Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, the Secretary to the Ministry requested to initiate a training plan in several key areas as follows:
Aquaculture: SPF Penaeus monodon (shrimp) breeding, oyster farming, algae farming, colorful fish breeding, and growing Echinodermata organisms such as sea urchins.
- Fisheries Industry: Freshwater and saltwater fisheries and related modern techniques.
- Biotechnology: Biotechnology and related product development.
- Food Processing: Food processing technology related to the fisheries industry.
- Human Resources: Training of fishing vessel technicians.
- Marketing and Certification: Fisheries marketing and obtaining international certifications such as MSC.
In response, CEFCM representatives agreed to study the needs of Sri Lanka and prepare training programs and syllabi accordingly and implement them in the future. It is expected that this cooperation will be a great support for the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquatic resources sector in the country.
