The county’s fisheries industry has been severely affected by the acute shortage of boats, spare parts, batteries, fish hooks, fishing nets, etc. This was revealed by a team of officers of the All Ceylon Multi-Day Fishing Vessels Owners’ Federation at a meeting with Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda held at the Ministry recently.
They said that the boat owners were still suffering from the scarcity of diesel, kerosene and petrol which has hindered their routine fishing activities.
The multi-day boats owners further brought to the notice of the Fisheries Minister that the companies mandated for repairing the VMS machines charged exorbitant rates for repairs.
The Minister pledged that he would take up the matter with the companies.