Health minister calls for COVID-19 guidelines on fisheries industry

COLOMBO (News1st): Health minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has instructed the preparation of the guidelines required to sustain the fisheries industry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The health ministry said that 21 multi-day fishing trawlers with 350,000 kilograms of fish have been docked at the Galle Fisheries Harbour, that has been shut after the detection of coronavirus cases. A decision has been to ensure that the catch remaining on these boats is given to the consumers by abiding by health guidelines, the health ministry noted. "...tons of fish have been piled up in refrigerators and boats," Rathna Gamage, the convenor of the All Island Fisheries Association said on Saturday. He urged the department of fisheries to intervene in this matter and to provide facilities to store the stocks of fish.