1. Marine fishery industry in Sri Lanka
Quality and safety issues in fish handling
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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)

2. 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

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

4. 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 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.

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

6. 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) ,000
Non-mechanized traditional boats 15,000
Mechanized boats 15,000
Multi-day vessels ,600

7. Fisheries sector contribution to the national economy
Direct livelihood ,000
Indirect livelihood ,000,000
State employment      5,000
Private sector employment ,000
Per capita fish supply kg
Export earnings M US$
Contribution to GDP %
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.

8. 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

9. 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.

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

11. 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)

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

13. 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.

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

15. 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).