The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I truly appreciate you for correctly pronouncing Tamil names. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in this Committee Stage debate on the allocations for the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources.

¶ 02 In 1980, the Northern Province was the country’s largest fish producer, contributing 49 percent of national output. Before the escalation of conflict in 1983, the North provided about 40 percent of marine catch; together with the East, it accounted for 64 percent of total fish production. The North and East possess the most valuable marine areas, generating livelihoods and income.

¶ 03 However, our fishers travel many kilometres into the sea, bearing heat, rain, and natural hazards, working extremely hard. Private companies and owners who finance the trips demand the catch, so fishers see little economic uplift. Hon. Minister, please focus on this: bring a scheme for the Government to purchase fish directly from our fishers. First, free them from control by owners. Boats, engines, and nets are purchased through loans. Fishers are heavily burdened.

¶ 04 When paddy fields are damaged by floods, assessments are made and compensation is paid. But what of fishers? They cast nets worth hundreds of thousands of rupees, only for Indian trawlers or strong waves to drag them away. When their investments are destroyed, what relief can you provide? Our fishers are in dire straits. For insurance, they are now told to pay full premiums themselves. Previously it was 60:40, with Government paying 60 percent and fishers 40 percent. How can they now bear the full cost when they already struggle under owners’ control?

¶ 05 For farmers, there is insurance, compensation, and even delayed price-setting for paddy. But for our fishers, there is no price-setting for fish, no adequate refrigerated facilities to take fish to Colombo at night for better prices. Their fish are undervalued. As I said, only if the Government purchases fish from our fishers will their lives improve.

¶ 06 Furthermore, focus on education in fishing communities. Our fishers are selfless; they endure sun, rain, and danger, even death, but wish for their children’s advancement. Recognize this and improve educational facilities—nurseries and schools—in fishing areas. Do not assume only the Education Ministry should do this. As a Ministry tasked with uplifting livelihoods—particularly in fishing communities—you must have plans so that even an ordinary fisher’s child can rise to prosperity.