With the aim of delivering a more efficient and expedited service to the fishing community, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today (03) at the Department of Registration of Persons to integrate the Data System of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (MSDFAR) with the National Identity Card (NIC) Data System of the Department of Registration of Persons (DRP).
Under the digitalization programme implemented by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources since 2020, a wide range of services has been brought online. These include vessel registration, issuance of fishing licenses, issuance of fishing technician and pilot identity cards, vessel departure clearance, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) operations through satellite technology, fish harvest data collection, and online payment facilities. In recognition of its national importance, the MSDFAR system has recently been designated as the 11th system among the 37 Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) systems identified by the government.
This year, in addition to multi-day fishing vessels, plans are underway to extend these digital systems to other categories of fishing vessels as well. A key objective of the newly signed agreement is to address challenges related to verifying the identities of vessel owners and fishermen during their registration within the system.
The technical integration and data exchange processes under this agreement will be undertaken by the respective IT divisions of the two departments. This collaboration will lay the essential groundwork for further expansion of online services by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, particularly the introduction of a One-Day Service for the issuance of fishing licenses.
The event was attended by Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons, Mrs. M.S.P. Suriyapperuma; Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. S.J. Kahawatte; Additional Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons, Ms. K.H.J.L. Senaratne; Commissioner (Research and Development), Ms. Lakmali Jayasinghe; Director (Information Technology) of the Department of Fisheries, Mr. Nuwan Gunawardena; and officials representing the Information Technology divisions of both institutions.
