According to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera, President has instructed to discharge all the development schemes on a scientific basis by drawing conclusions depending on the scientific researches conducted in each respective area.

Accordingly, the Minister has informed the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to conduct an in-depth research on fish stocks assessment and also a marine survey covering the entire sea of the country.

This would be the first time such an extensive research conducted in Sri Lanka and Norway has consented to extend their support to NARA in this endeavor.

The Ministry has held a discussion regarding the study on 14th June at NARA with the participation of the Advisor of Norway's Centre for Development Cooperation in Fisheries Mr. Jens-Otto E. Krakstad, President of NARA and many other experts in the field.

A special vessel of Norway is to be arrived in Sri Lanka to investigate the deep sea fish resources around Sri Lanka and the measures for the development of sea resources will be examined too. The data will be used in assessment of fish stocks, especially in submission of recommendation of strategies for fish resources development.

The study will be carried out for a period of two years. It was emphasized at the discussion that the programs discharged by the Ministry of Fisheries contribute heavily for the conservation of marine resources of Sri Lanka including the fish resources. Also it was highlighted that through this research revitalization of certain fisheries resources which have currently been affected could be possible.