Key fisheries policy makers and planners from 18 countries in the Southeast Asia- Pacific Region yesterday met in Colombo to discuss the merits of regional aquaculture and promotion.

The Asian Regional Ministerial Meeting on Aquaculture for Food Security, Nutrition and Economic Development will held on July 28 and 29.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will inaugurate the ministerial meeting tomorrow, which will be attended by Fisheries Ministers from major fishing nations, including Thailand, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Laos, China, Australia, Cambodia,Malaysia,Vietnam and New Zealand.

The meeting will conclude with the signing of what is called the 'Colombo Declaration' which will be the criteria for development of the aquaculture industry in the South Asian region, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Dr. Damitha De Soyza.

"The meetings today and tomorrow are held with the policy makers to facilitate the Colombo Declaration which will provide guidelines for initiatives aimed at developing aquaculture industry in the region," she said.