Chairman Mr.Kithsiri Dharmapriya states that the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) has successfully stocked 18 million fish fry in seasonal and permanent reservoirs across the island in the last four months.
A sum of Rs.225 million has been spent on stocking these fish fry, with the average value of each fry is Rs.12.50. About Rs.120 million has been borne by the National Aquaculture Development Authority as a government investment, while the remaining Rs.100 million has been contributed by members of the fisheries societies, aids of provincial councils and other projects.
So far, monthly fish stocking plans prepared in collaboration with the freshwater fishing community in selected permanent 115 reservoirs across the island are implemented under the "Wewa Ape Kamhalai" programme. The primary objective of this program is to increase the minimum monthly harvest of a fisherman up to 500 kilograms after one year of the program. This will increase the minimum monthly income of a fisherman over Rs.150,000 and provide an opportunity for women in the family to earn a monthly income over Rs.50,000 through value-added activities.
The implementation of this program includes having initial discussions with the fishing societies and obtaining their consent, meeting women groups to identify their problems and make them aware of the program, conducting a five-day planning program with the participation of all members of the fishing socities, analyzing the data of the last five years and preparing a fish stocking plan for the expected harvest, preparing a cash flow plan, discussing the problems that may arise during implementation and their solutions, and approve a system of rules and regulations.
The National Aquaculture Development Authority states that "Wewa Ape Kamhalai" program at the national level will create a revival in the freshwater fisheries industry and it will be a great assistance in the economic growth of the fishing community, ensuring food security in the country, and in the efforts to eliminate nutritional deficiencies completely.
