At a meeting with the fishing community chair-ed by Special Presidential advisor and MP, Basil Rajapaksa at Karainagar on Friday (19), it was announced that Government had decided to ease restrictions previously imposed on fishing activities off the northern coast from Mullaitivu to Nachchikudah and Mannar, with immediate effect.
Mr. Rajapaksa also announced the prohibition on outboard motors of vessels too had been lifted. There are more than 18,000 persons engaged in fishing in the north.
Government plans to increase fish production in the north over the figure of 1983 when the total harvest stood at 48,000 metric tons annually.
Fish production last year stood at a mere 2,300 metric tonnes due to threats posed by LTTE terrorism.
As an incentive to boost fish production and marketing, Government has made arrangements to transport the catch via the A9 road. |
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