The Government is awaiting a report on the possible impact of El Niño on the fish harvest, as changes in sea temperatures and falling reservoir water levels could affect both marine and inland fish production, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa said.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (23), Jinadasa said the Ministry had not yet received figures quantifying a possible decline in fish production, but had appointed a committee to assess the situation.

He said changes in sea temperatures caused by El Niño could affect the depth at which fish are found and, consequently, the quantity of fish caught. At the same time, a drought associated with El Niño could reduce water levels in reservoirs and affect inland fish production.

Jinadasa said the probability of El Niño occurring had increased from around 80% about a month ago to 91 per cent, according to a recent prediction he had seen.

The Ministry is taking steps to prepare for a possible reduction in fish supplies by encouraging the private sector to increase stocks of fish products such as dried fish when prices decline.

“We have told those in the private sector with storage facilities to store the required quantities during this period,” the Fisheries Ministry Secretary said.

He said the Ministry had also asked canned-fish producers to increase their production capacity and output.

The Ministry has further provided Rs. 86 million to renovate a cold-room facility belonging to the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, with a storage capacity of 200 tonnes. Jinadasa said the facility was among several cold rooms that had remained unused and deteriorated over the years.

He said there was also a blast freezer with a capacity of around 10 to 20 tonnes at the facility.

Jinadasa said fish prices normally increase during August and September each year before declining when catches increase.

However, rough sea conditions had prevented fishing vessels from going to sea for around two weeks after weather warnings were issued, which had also contributed to higher fish prices this year.

He said that if fish supplies declined significantly, Sri Lanka could resort to imports, as fish imports were currently permitted subject to the applicable Rs. 400 tax.

“The Ceylon Fisheries Corporation could also intervene and import fish if necessary,” he said.