By Sarah Hannan
In a bid to ensure the income levels of fishermen are unharmed due to the impact of Covid-19, the Government has directed the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) and others purchasing fish to make their purchases directly from the fishermen.
“We are working with the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, local canneries, and dry fish processing factories, and have asked them to purchase fish stocks directly from the fisherman to ensure the fish catch is supplied to the market. The initiative aims to eliminate middleman and supply fish to the public at an affordable rate through the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation,” State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multiday Fishing Activities, and Fish Exports Kanchana Wijesekera said.
At least 80 metric tonnes (MT) of fish were stuck at several fisheries harbours, creating a shortage of fresh fish in the market due to the closure of the Peliyagoda Fish Market and several fisheries harbours.
According to Wijesekara, their stocks had later been dried by fishermen, as they did not have a method to stock such a consignment.
Later, the Government had sent out CFC officials to purchase the stocks, freeze some of them, and distribute the same for retail. The purchased fish stocks were to be processed and canned, if suitable, and stored for future consumption.
Wijesekara noted that if any fishermen are finding it difficult to sell their fish, they are to directly contact the area fisheries co-ordinator and notify them that fish stocks are available for purchase.
The mechanism in place is designed to ensure fishermen are able to sell all the fish they catch during their seafaring, and any excess fish stocks will be processed accordingly and made available to the public for consumption. This way, the Government looks to ensure the fishermen do not incur losses in the fisheries sector.
At least 80 metric tonnes (MT) of fish were stuck at several fisheries harbours, creating a shortage of fresh fish in the market due to the closure of the Peliyagoda Fish Market and several fisheries harbours.
According to Wijesekara, their stocks had later been dried by fishermen, as they did not have a method to stock such a consignment.
Later, the Government had sent out CFC officials to purchase the stocks, freeze some of them, and distribute the same for retail. The purchased fish stocks were to be processed and canned, if suitable, and stored for future consumption.
Wijesekara noted that if any fishermen are finding it difficult to sell their fish, they are to directly contact the area fisheries co-ordinator and notify them that fish stocks are available for purchase.
The mechanism in place is designed to ensure fishermen are able to sell all the fish they catch during their seafaring, and any excess fish stocks will be processed accordingly and made available to the public for consumption. This way, the Government looks to ensure the fishermen do not incur losses in the fisheries sector.