FAO’s Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and South East Asia (RFLP) handed over safety equipment to more than 200 small-scale fishers in the Chilaw Fisheries District in October.
The handover was presided over by The Hon. Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Dr Rajitha Senarathne.
The equipment, including GPS systems, life rings, first aid kits, life jackets and VHF radios will enhance the safety of the fishers, who have also participated in a comprehensive series of training sessions on topics including first aid, survival at sea, safe diving, fire fighting and out-board engine repair.
Patrick Evans, the FAO representative in Sri Lanka said, “Fishers in Sri Lanka face danger on a daily basis. The equipment and training provided by the FAO’s Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme will help save lives and reduce the vulnerability of fishing communities.”
In addition to training fishers in safety related areas, RFLP has actively ensured that women were fully involved in the sessions.
Jose Parajua, RFLP Regional Programme Manger said, “Women may not be going out to sea but involving them in training activities helps ensure all members of the household understand how to make fishing safer. As result we hope to see fishers and boats properly equipped on every trip and for safety equipment to be valued and used correctly.”
RFLP is currently implemented in the fisheries districts of Negombo, Chilaw and Puttalam. Safety equipment was handed over to fishers in Puttalam district in July 2011.
RFLP is funded by the Kingdom of Spain and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.
