Advanced fishing boats for tsunami hit fishermen

Shirley WIJESINGHE

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department has launched a programme to distribute Maruwelpanna multi-day fishing boats (45-50 ft) among fishermen under the post-tsunami scheme.

The project's total financial estimate is Rs. 350 million, Ministry sources said.

The Department has distributed 25 Madal fishing boats among fishermen of tsunami affected areas.

Accordingly these boats are made with more advanced technological facilities.

These boats do not need to carry ice stocks for refrigeration.

A specially designed cold water retaining system is applied for this purpose.

Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources S.W. Pathirana said the main objective of manufacturing these boats is to promote the Maruwelpanna fishing method which is more friendly to the fisheries industry.

The Department hopes to manufacture these type of boats with the assistance of registered boat yards.

The project will be implemented under the special unit of the Department from next year, Pathirana added.