Deputy Minister Takes Urgent Steps to Develop Cod Bay harbor and Resolve Land Issues
With the objective of providing immediate solutions to the challenges faced by the fishing community in the Trincomalee District, a special District Fisheries Coordination Committee meeting was held today (24) in Trincomalee under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ratna Gamage. The meeting also served as a progress review of the first session conducted in June 2024.
Approximately 50 government officials and representatives of fisheries associations participated in the meeting, including the Chairman of the District Fisheries Coordination Committee and Member of Parliament, Roshan Akmeemana, and the Trincomalee District Secretary, Hemantha Kumara.
The key matters discussed and decisions taken are as follows:
- Resolution of land issues:
The Deputy Minister announced that a special discussion will be convened in Colombo with the Ministers of Land and Environment and relevant officials to address issues related to acquiring lands under the Departments of Forest Conservation and Wildlife Conservation for fisheries activities. Discussions will also focus on resolving land-related matters concerning the project of shrimp hatchery implemented with assistance from India. - Codbay Fishery Harbour:
The Chairman of the Ceylon Fishery Harburs Corporation, Kapila Bamunuarachchi, stated that development work has already commenced under a World Bank-funded project covering the Codbay Fishery Harbour in Trincomalee and the Gurunagar Fishery Harbour in Jaffna. He further noted that an estimated investment of US$ 12 million has been allocated for the development of the Codbay Harbour. The project includes the construction of a new 300-metre jetty, the establishment of a modern fish processing plant with a daily capacity of 10 metric tons, and the expansion of essential infrastructure. - Prohibited fishing methods:
The Department of Fisheries was instructed to introduce an expedited mechanism to curb the use of illegal fishing methods, including gill nets, trap nets , dynamite fishing, and other unlawful activities in the Kokilai Lagoon. The Deputy Minister requested the fishing community to refrain from such practices to ensure the sustainable management of ocean resources. - The Seine Fishing Industry:
- It was announced that the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) will undertake a scientific study to address prevailing issues in the seine fishing industry and submit a comprehensive report within three months.
The General Secretary of the National Fisheries Federation, Ajantha Kumara, stated that a series of specialized training programmes will be implemented this year to strengthen fisheries associations.
Deputy Minister Ratna Gamage emphasized that sustainable solutions to fisheries-related challenges can only be achieved through close coordination among all relevant government institutions. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s full commitment to delivering practical and positive outcomes for the fishing community.
The Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry, N. Sivalingam, the Chairman of the Fisheries Harbours Corporation, Kapila Bamunuarachchi, the Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister, H.S. Hathurasinghe and several other officials were present at the event.
