FAO assistance for SriLankan fishers

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations yesterday (14) handed over two specially designed climate resilient fishing boats and 30 modified fish display stalls to the Ministry of Fisheries, in line with FAO’s commitment to sustainable development and addressing climate change challenges, according to a FAO press release.

The SL20 and SL23 fishing boats, measuring 6.3 and 7 meters in length, were designed for coastal fishing operations in Sri Lanka. Adhering to FAO/ILO/IMO standards, these boats prioritize the safety of fishers and are built to be capsize-resistant and withstand the challenges posed by climate change, including more frequent and intense storms and cyclones. The designs of these climate resilient boats are freely available through the FAO Fishing Vessel Design Database.

The design and construction of these boats were made possible through the generous funding of the Norwegian Government-financed FAO Trust Fund project on “Responsible use of fisheries and aquaculture resources for sustainable development,” with a cost allocation of approximately LKR 9 million.

In addition to the boats, FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, introduced 30 model fish stalls across 15 fisheries districts in Sri Lanka. These stalls, designed by the Cey-Nor Foundation under the Ministry of Fisheries, aim to minimize post-harvest fish quality loss by maintaining high-quality and safe conditions for fish retail selling.

A recent study by NARA revealed inadequate maintenance practices among most fish retailers in Sri Lanka. Outdoor fish stalls often display fish uncovered, without ice, in direct contact with sunlight and environmental hazards. The model fish display stalls seek to popularize retail selling stalls among fish retailers to maintain the quality of fish until it reaches the consumer.