## National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Approved by Cabinet 🌊

The Cabinet of Ministers has officially approved the implementation of the updated National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, marking a shift towards formalized sustainable management and equitable benefit distribution within the sector. • Policy Integration: The redrafted policy is now aligned with the government's current economic framework and has been integrated with national development strategies following recommendations from the Department of National Planning. • Strategic Objectives: Focuses on the sustainable management of aquatic resources to ensure long-term viability. Aims for the equitable distribution of industry benefits to support coastal and inland fishing communities. Modernizes previous frameworks to meet evolving global and local industry requirements. • Economic Context: As a vital component of Sri Lanka’s blue economy, the policy seeks to streamline the fisheries and aquaculture sectors to better contribute to national GDP and food security. • Status: Implementation is set to begin immediately as part of the broader national economic strategy.