Govt. launches relief programme for ornamental fish breeders affected by Cyclone Ditwah

Colombo, July 7 (Daily Mirror) - The Government has launched a special relief programme to support small-scale ornamental fish breeders affected by Cyclone Ditwah, with Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar directing officials to import new breeding stock every three months to strengthen the industry.

The relief programme, held at the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) on Monday, was attended by Minister Chandrasekar and Deputy Minister Ratna Gamage.

As part of the first phase, financial assistance was distributed to 28 ornamental fish breeders in the Colombo District. A total of Rs. 4.65 million has been allocated to assist 83 breeders in the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kurunegala and Kegalle districts.

Officials said the programme will also be extended to another 40 breeders in the Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Anuradhapura and Puttalam districts.

Addressing the event, Minister Chandrasekar instructed NAQDA officials to arrange the import of high-quality broodstock every three months, saying the move would help introduce new ornamental fish varieties and improve the industry's competitiveness in export markets.

He said that no new breeding varieties had been introduced for several years and said regular imports would enable local producers to breed species in high demand internationally.

The Minister said Cyclone Ditwah caused an estimated Rs. 307 million in damage to the ornamental fish industry, adding that rising fuel costs had further affected producers. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to reviving the sector and developing Sri Lanka into a leading ornamental fish export hub.

The event was attended by Ministry Secretary Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, NAQDA Chairman Kithsiri Dharmapriya, ministry officials and ornamental fish breeders.