Although the Northern Province possesses a highly suitable geographical location for aquatic organism farming, including sea cucumber farming, we have not yet fully utilized this potential. Therefore, appropriate sites for aquatic organism farming will be identified and allocated within the next two months through integrated field surveys conducted by all relevant departments, stated the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
A special high-level discussion on aquatic organism farming was held today – on Wednesday evening, 01 April 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat under the co-chairmanship of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. R. Chandrasekhar, and the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
During the discussion, the Assistant Director of the Coastal Aquatic Organism Farming Expansion and Monitoring Division provided a detailed explanation of the current situation.
Highlighting that sea cucumber farming is being carried out on a large scale in the Jaffna District, the official stated that approximately 533 sea cucumber farms are currently operating across about 1,134 acres in the areas of Velanai, Jaffna, Nallur, and Sandilipay Divisional Secretariat Divisions. Additionally, seaweed farming is being actively promoted in areas such as Kayts, Velanai, Chankanai, and Delft DS Divisions.
He further noted that new farming projects can be introduced by utilizing the geographical features of the Northern Province. Accordingly, there are opportunities to promote shrimp, crab, and shellfish farming in the Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Mullaitivu districts, as well as to establish sea cucumber hatchery production centers. He also pointed out that freshwater fish farming can be specially developed in the Vavuniya district, which lacks marine resources.
The main challenges faced by investors and farmers in this sector were also highlighted during the discussion.
Key challenges include: the shortage of hatchery production centers, conflicts with the Department of Forest Conservation and Department of Wildlife Conservation in identifying new lands in Mannar (Manthai West, Nanaddan Divisions) and Kilinochchi (Poonakary Division) areas, lack of coordination between government institutions in issuing permits, and delays in renewing expired permits.
The need to create amicable mechanisms to reduce overcrowding in farms in Jaffna, control illegal activities in areas such as Poonakary, and resolve conflicts with the traditional livelihoods of local fishermen was also emphasized. It was stated that resolving these challenges could generate approximately 100 million US dollars in annual export revenue from the Northern Province.
Following this, the Hon. Governor pointed out that many resources in the Northern Province are still not being fully utilized. He stressed the need for government departments to create a favorable environment for investors. He also stated that illegal farms should be properly regulated and mechanisms should be developed to carry out these farming activities without conflicting with traditional fishermen.
During the discussion, investors and farmers highlighted delays in obtaining permits and the lack of coordination between departments. Concerns were also raised that obtaining permits in the North takes significantly longer compared to the South.
The Jaffna District Secretary pointed out the opposition arising from the local community when allocating land for such farms in the Jaffna District. In response, Minister Hon. R. Chandrasekar stated that the concerns and requests of the local community should be taken into account through proper consultations. He further instructed that, to resolve land-related issues raised by investors, all relevant departmental officials should jointly conduct field surveys under the leadership of the respective Divisional Secretaries and submit reports within a short period.
Minister Hon. R. Chandrasekhar emphasized that regulating unauthorized sea cucumber farms is essential to protect the excellent international market reputation of Sri Lankan sea cucumber farms. While some departments are prepared to make concessions, he requested that farmers also extend full cooperation to reach a consensus on these regulatory measures.
Sector officials noted that, since the Northern Province is highly suitable for sea cucumber farming, a road map identifying suitable lands should be prepared quickly. They added that lands already published in the gazette should be prioritized for identification, and priority will be given to local investors for these sites.
Meanwhile, responding to a question raised by farmers regarding the increase in land tax for sea cucumber farms, the Secretary of the Northern Province Ministry of Local Government clarified that the increase was carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The discussion was attended by several participants, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, the Director of the Coastal Aquatic Organism Farming Expansion and Monitoring Division, the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, the Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Local Government, the Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, District Secretaries, the Provincial Land Commissioner – Northern Province, Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Directors of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, investors, and farmers.
