The draft on the New National Policy pertaining to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector has been prepared by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, a statement on recent cabinet decisions said. In preparing the policy, the views of all stakeholders including the fishermen, aquaculture farmers and exporters and academics and the general public have been sought in accordance with the approval granted by the Cabinet to formulate such a policy. The new policy has focused on the sustainable management of the fisheries industry and aquaculture farming with equitable distribution of benefits. The policy provides provisions for engagement in the fisheries industry in accordance with the International Standards, elimination of illegal fishing, introduction of appropriate new technology, minimizing of the post-harvest losses, increasing of the national fish consumption, promotion of fish product exports and enhancing the socio-economic status of the fisher community. Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development following the directions of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has made a request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Government of Norway seeking technical assistance to formulate the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy for Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Fisheries of the Government of Norway in consultation with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Fisheries has developed the project to assist the Government of Sri Lanka to formulate the new fisheries and aquaculture policy to suit the present and emerging needs of the sector, develop manpower for management, and facilitate investments in the sector. A proposal made by Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera to present the proposed new National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy in Parliament, to seek the views of all Members of Parliament, was approved by the Cabinet.