By: Staff Writer

October 28, Colombo (LNW): The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from Norway, has introduced technology upgrades to boost resilience and sustainability in Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry which is to get fuel subsidy from the new administration 

 The FAO recently delivered a multi-day fishing boat equipped with an advanced cooling system and a fuel-efficient bulbous bow. These innovations aim to lower operational costs, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance fish quality for both local and export markets.

Sri Lanka’s multi-day fishing vessels, particularly significant in the tuna export industry, often rely on ice to preserve fish during long voyages.

This practice can compromise fish quality, leading to losses. An FAO assessment in 2022-2023 found an average 41.4% quality degradation in catches from these vessels.

To address this, FAO installed advanced cooling systems on a newly constructed vessel to maintain optimal temperatures, reducing waste and spoilage and improving the resilience of fishing operations.

Fuel consumption, a significant cost for the multi-day fishing sector, ranges between 8,000 and 11,000 liters per trip, costing operators approximately 3 to 4 million LKR per voyage.

 The FAO introduced bulbous bow technology, which reduces wave resistance and cuts fuel consumption by 13%, helping offset additional energy demands from the cooling systems.

This fuel-saving innovation, though costing around 1 million LKR, was funded by the boat owner with FAO’s technical support, illustrating a collaborative approach toward sustainable fishing practices.

Another challenge fishermen face is obtaining fair prices for their catch, as middlemen often capitalize on gaps in quality knowledge, leaving fishermen with reduced profits.

 To tackle this, the FAO developed an AI-powered mobile app that allows fishermen to evaluate fish quality in real-time according to Yellowfin Tuna export standards.

The app enables fishermen to take a photo, receive immediate feedback, and negotiate better prices based on verified quality, thereby ensuring more equitable market access and fairer pricing.

These efforts, which have been transferred to Sri Lanka’s Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, are part of FAO’s commitment to building a sustainable, resilient fishing industry.

By integrating modern cooling systems, fuel-efficient technologies, and AI-based quality assessment tools, the FAO is advancing a transformation that supports both economic and environmental sustainability for Sri Lanka’s fishing sector.

Moreover the Sri Lankan government has introduced a fuel subsidy program to support fishermen and revive the struggling fishing industry amid an ongoing economic crisis.

The program, announced by Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath on October 15, is aimed at mitigating economic challenges and stabilizing the fishing sector

Under the subsidy, capped at 300,000 Sri Lankan rupees (US$1,034) per month per vessel, boat owners receive an allowance of 25 rupees per liter of diesel and kerosene.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources urged vessel owners to ensure that these subsidies benefit the broader fishing community, especially fisher folk who are most affected by rising operational costs.

The new government has been urged to introduce renewable energy for fishing vessels, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support environmental goals.

 Targeting subsidies for small-scale, artisanal fishers who are most vulnerable to fuel price hikes could prevent growing inequality within the community.

Additionally, there are calls for the government to enact regulations to prevent overfishing and promote sustainable fishing practices, linking subsidies to environmentally conscious methods.