Sri Lanka intends to better protect fish habitats around the island by declaring them as protected zones in order to safeguard the resources for the future, said Udaya Senevirathne, Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment.

Government policy is to ensure th sustainability of marine resources for economic development and conservation, he told the 8th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference that began in Sri Lanka on Monday.

“We hope to protect fishing areas around the island to practice sustainable fisheries, and declare some fish habitats that contain fisheries resources for the future as protected zones.”

Senevirathne said Sri Lanka is party to the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project.

“The Bay of Bengal is an important source of food and income for Sri Lanka.”