5.0 Summary of Recommendations

It is recommended:

· That the Government establish a permanent interdepartmental committee mandated to review current policy and regulations regarding the introduction and transfer of aquatic organisms, to make recommendations on the adoption or adaptation of the ICES Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms and other similar guidelines, and to review and make recommendations on all requests to import exotic aquatic animals destined for aquaculture or stocking in natural waters.

· That the Government request FAO assistance with the identification of potential donors and in the preparation of a detailed proposal for the development of expertise and infrastructure for aquatic animal health research and quarantine and certification for donor consideration, and that a joint working group involving DAPH, MOFARD AQD and NARA be established to prepare such a proposal.

· That the Government initiate a review of the various acts and regulations dealing with the import and export of aquatic animals and any of their products posing a health risk to aquatic organisms, with the goal of harmonizing and clarifying these laws, and that FAO be requested to assist by assigning this task to the National and International Legal Consultants providing legal expertise to the Government of Sri Lanka under FAO TCP/SRL/6614(A). '

· That MOFARD participate fully in the FAO/NACA TCP Project, and that the National Coordinator for Sri Lanka head a national committee on quarantine and certification, which would be charged with reviewing the NACA/FAO guidelines with the goal of adapting them to the Sri Lankan situation.

· That Sri Lanka participate fully in the Aquatic Animal Pathogen and Quarantine Information System (AAPQIS) by designating staff to establish and continuously update a national database on diseases of aquatic animals.

· That the Government seek the support of NACA, FAO, OIE or another donor agency to ensure full participation of DAPH staff in the FAO/NACA TCP Project.

· That MOFARD consult with the DAPH to establish a formal linkage or understanding between the two agencies.

· That MOFARD initiate discussions with the Head Veterinary Officer to establish a mechanism ensuring that diseases of aquatic animals are reported to the OIE in an accurate and timely manner.

· That MOFARD disinfect existing broodstock and ensure that precautions are taken to prevent the infection of fry and fingerlings during rearing at the fish breeding centres, so that within country spread of pathogens can be minimized.

· That further importations of broodstock by MOFARD be subjected to strict inspection and quarantine to internationally recognized standards, both before shipment and after arrival, to minimize the chance of introducing new diseases.

· That the Government adopt a system for recording the basic information on each shipment of imported or exported aquatic animals (importer/exporter, country of origin/destination, scientific and common name of species shipped, number of fish shipped by species, date, etc.) so that an accurate picture of the extent and nature of this trade can be obtained. To assist in the formulation of policy and in the analysis of risks posed by the trade in living aquatic animals, this information should be collated, analysed and published on an annual basis.

· That the extent of existing importations of fresh and frozen aquatic animals destined for direct human consumption be documented, so that an accurate assessment of the risk such products pose to Sri Lanka can be evaluated.

· That MOFARD ensure that the supply of shrimp broodstock in Sri Lankan waters is protected from overfishing and from possible disease introduction due to development of shrimp farming in adjacent areas.

· That MOFARD monitor and, if necessary, enhance local hatchery production of shrimp postlarvae, so that no need will exist for growers to illegally import postlarvae.