The sea weed farming project covering the entire coastal area of Jaffna peninsula launching is extreme significance towards the protection of sea resources as well as the expansion of fishing activities in the area, said Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, addressing the graduate trainees absorbed to the State service at the Coastal Environment Protection Programme held at Jaffna district secretariat recently.

Speaking further, the Minister said that the project initially would cover 292 km of the Northern coast and was a step in the right direction taken to protect and conserve the Northern coast which was under constant threat due to destruction of mangrove vegetation, coral reef and other natural resources preventing sea erosion.

He also said had such a step not taken consequences would prove to be disastrous to fishing; the main livelihood of the inhabitants in these areas as well as to the beauty and splendour of the vast stretches of golden sea beaches in the North.

The Minister requested the trainees to extend their full support to the Divisional Secretaries in implementing the coastal protection programme.