FAO strengthens resilience and sustainability in Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector

SRI LANKA – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), supported by funding from the Government of Norway, has launched a series of initiatives to enhance resilience and sustainability in Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector. 

Central to these efforts is the recent handover of a multi-day fishing vessel equipped with advanced cooling technology and a fuel-saving bulbous bow. 

This initiative promotes innovative technologies to reduce post-harvest losses, lower operational costs, and improve fish quality for local and export markets.

Sri Lanka’s deep-sea fishing operations, particularly within the tuna export industry, heavily depend on multi-day fishing vessels that rely on ice to preserve the catch. 

However, this method often leads to significant quality degradation over long voyages, resulting in considerable post-harvest losses. 

According to a Fish Loss and Waste (FLW) Assessment by FAO in 2022–2023, Sri Lanka’s multi-day fisheries experience an average quality loss of 41.4% in their catch.

In response, FAO has implemented an advanced cooling system on a newly constructed vessel to ensure fish are kept at optimal temperatures, improving quality retention and minimising spoilage. 

This step aims to ensure higher-quality fish products reach markets, thus supporting the resilience and profitability of fishing operations.

Additionally, FAO addressed fuel efficiency—a crucial issue given that multi-day fishing boats consume between 8,000 and 11,000 litres of diesel per trip, with operational costs reaching 3 to 4 million LKR per voyage. 

Through technical support, FAO assisted in installing bulbous bow technology on the vessel, which reduces wave resistance, achieving a 13% reduction in fuel consumption. 

While the boat owner covered the installation cost of this technology, approximately 1 million LKR, FAO’s guidance underscores the importance of private-sector collaboration in sustainable practices.

To empower fishermen with greater bargaining power, FAO introduced an AI-powered mobile app that allows them to assess the quality of their fish in real-time. 

By uploading a photo, fishermen can evaluate their catch based on Yellowfin Tuna export standards, giving them immediate insights that help negotiate better prices. 

This tool aims to provide fishing communities with more equitable market access and fairer pricing, addressing the common challenge of middlemen exploiting quality knowledge gaps.

These initiatives, handed over to Sri Lanka’s Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, are part of FAO’s broader commitment to promoting sustainable practices, reducing post-harvest losses, and empowering fishing communities.

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