The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 (a) (i) Yes.

¶ 02 (ii) Yes.

¶ 03 (iii) - Freshwater shrimp hatcheries – 03 - Ornamental fish hatcheries – 03 - Brackishwater shrimp hatcheries – 01 - Freshwater fish hatcheries – 10

¶ 04 (iv) The capacity to supply fry for freshwater fish farming is presently insufficient. The estimated annual fingerling requirement is about 480 million, while in the past year, NAQDA hatcheries, association-controlled hatcheries, and private hatcheries together supplied only about 67 million fingerlings. Accordingly, measures will be taken to upgrade association and private hatcheries into broodstock centres and increase numbers. For suitable reservoirs, construction of 1,000 m² cement ponds and 4,000 m² earthen ponds is planned, and three large-scale broodstock centres for NAQDA are also planned.

¶ 05 For ornamental fish, three broodstock centres at Rambadagalle, Kinigathhena and Sevanapitiya supply high-quality broodstock and specialty species for exporters. Rambadagalle provides basic and advanced training for new and existing entrants.

¶ 06 For brackishwater shrimp, post-larvae are supplied entirely by the private sector. NAQDA has adequate capacity to facilitate sufficient supply for the industry.

¶ 07 (b) (i) During 2017–2019, at Dambulla Aquaculture Development Centre, Rs. 1,628,497.50 was defrauded by not depositing revenue into the bank. Disciplinary action was taken; two officers identified remitted Rs. 54,250 to NAQDA, and legal action is underway to recover the balance from two other officers.

¶ 08 (ii) Yes. A programme exists: - Reservoir stocking with fingerlings in coordination with relevant agencies. - Development of cage culture and feed-based aquaculture in reservoirs. - Construction of cement and earthen ponds near suitable reservoirs to produce required fingerlings per reservoir. - Feasibility studies for three new fish hatcheries and upgrading existing hatcheries to increase fry output. - Provision of high-quality broodstock and fry for ornamental fish via the three NAQDA centres and import of superior broodstock where necessary; concessional loan schemes; training via Rambadagalle centre; international “Aqua Planet”-type exhibitions for knowledge sharing and marketing. - For shrimp: concessional loans for small and medium farms; expansion and monitoring units in Puttalam, Kilinochchi, and Batticaloa for disease detection and control; continuous technical advisory and best management practice training; development of a shrimp sector database for disease control and emergency preparedness.

¶ 09 (c) Not applicable.