The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar tabled a response stating that shrimp production and export earnings have declined sharply, with Puttalam District output falling from 12,449 metric tons in 2021 to 9,115 metric tons by end-2023, affecting around 4,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs. He attributed the decline to higher electricity and feed costs, EHP disease, and VAT impacts on farmers, and noted that a meeting with SLADA and NAQDA had agreed on measures including a long-term industry plan, legal action against unlawful broodstock and seed practices, Best Management Practices for disease control, and NARA-led research in 2025 on suitable species, areas, and domestic breeding.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 I table the answer.
¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. In Puttalam District, 199 shrimp farms operated and obtained a maximum harvest of 12,449 metric tons in 2021, which was 86% of national production (14,410 MT). Foreign exchange earnings from shrimp exports that year were USD 42.5 million. By end-2023, national production fell to 11,600 MT and Puttalam to 9,115 MT. Export earnings fell to USD 31.73 million. The industry is in crisis and is expected to decline further in 2024.
¶ 03 (ii) In Puttalam District, about 4,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs depended on the industry; reduced production has impacted employment and economic strength.
¶ 04 (b) (i) Reasons for reduced operations: 1. Electricity tariff increases as the industry is not treated as a manufacturing industry with reduced industrial tariffs. Electricity cost per kg rose from Rs. 50 in 2022 to Rs. 150 now. 2. Significant increase in feed cost. 3. Spread of EHP disease, severely affecting L. vannamei farming. 4. VAT imposed on farmers with annual income over Rs. 60 million—achievable even by a small 4-acre farmer—reducing investor interest.
¶ 05 (ii) On 2024.10.09, with my participation and that of my Private Secretary Dr. E. M. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, a meeting was held with SLADA representatives at the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA). Decisions: 1. Prepare a long-term plan for industry growth with SLADA. 2. After 2024.11.15, hatcheries must not keep domestic broodstock, nauplii or post-larvae unlawfully; if reported, NAQDA will take legal action after consultation with all parties. 3. Implement Best Management Practices (BMP) for EHP control. 4. In 2025, conduct research with the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to identify the most suitable species and farming areas; take actions based on scientific data. 5. As small-scale farmers oppose legal action on illicit domestic broodstock and seed, NARA will conduct research on domestic breeding and farming in 2025. 6. Convene a comprehensive meeting under my chair with all stakeholders at the Ministry to address industry issues.
¶ 06 (c) Not applicable.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Thursday, 6 February 2025 ·No. 1739271735020022 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 6 February 2025. No. 1739271735020022. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/689