Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development in the present year introduced digital technology to all the 21 functioning fishery harbors of the country. A digital operation system was introduced with a view to preventing the misuse and corruption taking place in fishery harbors. As a result, CFHC has become capable of witnessing a record profit within the past 09 months of the year.

CFHC has earned an income of Rs. 34,834,088 during the past 09 months on account of operating all the fishery harbors through a digital operation system.  In 2015 its income was reported to be Rs. 30,723,841 and considering the last six month’s income it has earned Rs.6, 883,219 lakh by the end of this August.

A discussion in this regard was held recently at the Ministry of Fisheries and was presided by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. There, the chairman and the higher management of CHFC emphasized that the implementation of this digital operation system has financially benefited the fishers and business community. 

Certain fishers who leave for fishing in one-day and multi-day vessels tend to keep some amount for themselves from the money given by the boat owner to fuel the boats. However such actions will not be possible under the digital system since the owner of the boat will receive a text message to his mobile phone mentioning the amount of fuel and respective charges in every turn of fueling to the boat. Further the system will look in to the matters related to the fuel, electricity and water facilities for boats and registration of boats in due time. The boat owner will be informed repeatedly in case the registration didn’t take place in due time and eventually the boat will not be authorized to engage in fisheries in a failure of registration.

Minister also mentioned that the digital operating system will also be introduced to the remaining institutions attached to the Ministry such as NARA and NAQDA which are engaged in executing a complex and ample scope of work since the digitalization will enhance the efficiency and methodical functioning of such institutes and also will prevent the mishandling of resources and corruption.