Marine fishery industry in Sri Lanka Quality and safety issues in fish handling ----- A course in quality and safety management in fishery harbours in Sri Lanka NARA, DFAR, ICEIDA and UNU-FTP Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA) Iceland United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme (UNU-FTP) National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Sri Lanka Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR)

Content of the lecture Marine resources and production Fisheries sector contribution to the national economy Fishery harbours Fishing fleets, fishing methods and cooling methods Major commercial fish species Marketing channels and distribution

Learning objectives After this lecture participants will be familiar with: the general overview of the fishery industry in Sri Lanka

Marine resources and production Sri Lanka has 200 Nm exclusive economic zone following 517,00 sq.km. The average width of the continental shelf is 22 km and its total extent is 30,000 sq.km. The coastline of the country is 1,700 km. Annual marine fish production is estimated 250 000 metric.tons. Understand the marine resources and the extent of Exclusive Economic Zone and coastline of Sri Lanka. In addition, quantity of the annual production of fish also highlighted.

Marine resources Extent Sq.Km Current Potential production production (tons) (tons) Continental shelf ( 30,000) 160,000 250,000 Exclusive economic zone (517,000) 90,000 150,000 (Offshore within EEZ) Extra Seabed 1,000, 000 Overview of potential of marine resources and its contribution to the current production

Fish production 2004 Coastal fisheries 160, 000 MT Off shore and deep sea fisheries 160, 000 MT 90, 000 MT To understand contribution of coastal, off shore and deep sea area to total marine production . Number of fishing boats according to size and operating method. The fishing fleet (total number of vessels) 32,000 Non-mechanized traditional boats 15,000 Mechanized boats 15,000 Multi-day vessels 1,600

Fisheries sector contribution to the national economy Direct livelihood 150,000 Indirect livelihood 1,000,000 State employment      5,000 Private sector employment 400,000 Per capita fish supply 17.6 kg Export earnings 100 M US$ Contribution to GDP 2.7% Fish supplies 60% of the total animal protein intake of the population. The lecture shows the importance of fishery sector contribution to the national economy. This shows the number of direct & indirect livelihood, main export earnings, contribution to the GDP and the other relevant information.

Fishery harbours Kirinda Panadura Tangalle Mutwall Kudawell Kalpitiya Dondra Trincomalee Mirissa Beruwella Galle Hikkaduwa The slide shows the main fishery harbours in Sri Lanka. map of SL

The fishing fleet Multi-days boats over 32 fleets in length One day boats with in board motors 3 ½ tons (28-32 fleets) One day boats with outboard motors and traditional boats. Understand the types of fishing boats, used in the fishery industry.

Common fishing methods Gill nets Long lines/ pole & line Surrounding nets Trawling Explain the common fishing methods

Major commercial fish species Kelawalla (Yellow fin tuna) Balaya (Skipjak tuna) Other blood fish (Tuna like sp.) Thora (Seer fish) Paraw (Carangid spp.) Mora / Maduwa (Shark/ Skate) Kumbalawa (Indian Mackerel)

Common cooling methods Fish stored with ice Chilled sea water (CSW) Refrigerated sea water (RSW)

Marketing channel Fish for export market is directly unloaded to freezer trucks for transport to processing plant Fish directly unloaded to freezer trucks for transport to the central market(s) Fish unloaded to auction at the harbour and sent to central market Wholesale and send to central market Wholesale and send retail market Whole sellers sell to fish venders The slide shows the marketing channel of fish distribution in Sri Lanka.

Market contribution 95 – 97 % as fresh fish and 3- 5 % as dry fish 05- 10 % of landed fish for export 25 - 30 % for Central market channel 50 – 60 % retail market channel

References Annual Report, 2004, Statistical Division of Ministry of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Sri Lanka Fisheries Year Book 2002, National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency (NARA).