There is a tremendous market potential for ‘Eco-friendly’ and ‘Organic’ types of Tilapia in western markets, especially in the US. It has been observed that a price of around 3-7 times that of normally cultured types can be obtained for organically cultured types. Production of ‘Eco-friendly’ and ‘Organic’ fish needs unpolluted environments and the process should be carried out without using chemical inputs or other type of artificial inputs such as fish feed from genetically modified (GM) sources. Authorized bodies should endorse the product as being made under the standards necessary to label them as ‘Eco-friendly’ or ‘Organic’.

The members of the expert Malaysian team who are in Sri Lanka to demonstrate the feasibility, expressed a highly optimistic view regarding suitability of Sri Lankan reservoirs for such nature friendly fish production activities, as pollution levels are low compared with water bodies in other South or South-East Asian countries. They are particularly satisfied with the rich forest cover observed in catchment areas of reservoirs. Major features of the business plan proposed by the expert team can be summarized as follows.

A total annual output of 1500 MT ‘Eco-friendly’ processed Tilapia (mainly fish fillet) will be achieved by installing 2400 cages in a few selected reservoirs (Samanala Wewa Reservoir has been earmarked presently) within a period of four years. This cage complex will consist of 200 cage units with twelve members of 3m X 3 m dimension cages. The cages will be stocked with fingerlings of Tilapia to rear them until they reach edible stage. It is planned to produce 150 MT of fillet together with other processed bi-products from this cage complex in the first year. A special processing facility under approved nature friendly standards, will be required to process fish fillet and bi-products. Fish seed necessary for cage culture units will be produced under specified standard conditions required for “Eco-friendly” products. Fish seed (fry) will be reared until advanced fingerling stage in ponds maintained by community pond owners (out growers), under the strict supervision of NAQDA officers to meet the required quality standards during all stages of the production. Depending on the success of ‘Eco friendly’ stage of production, the facility is expected to upgrade to produce ‘Organic’ fish products to receive maximum prices.

It is understood that the Malaysian group shall take the major responsibility in providing the necessary technology and the marketing of the output internationally. Major role of NAQDA will include provision of necessary infrastructure to undertake the production operations under the guidance of Malaysian experts. Bids from prospective private investors will be sought from suitable, qualified parties with a capacity to finance this project. Specific terms and conditions of the partnership arrangements are yet to be finalized and the financial and other benefits of the project can be negotiated accordingly.