Introduction of a bowser for the transportation of fish seed in Sri Lanka: Impacts and economics

Under the Aquatic Resource Development and Quality Improvement Project (ARDQIP) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Recourses of Sri Lanka, which was implemented during 2003-2010, a greater emphasis was laid on the development of culture-based fisheries (CBF) and activities aimed at enhancing fish seed production in the country. One of the foremost needs was to improve facilities for transport of fish seed to meet the envisaged increase in fish seed production and related stocking in remote areas. ARDQIP was instrumental in designing and introduction of a fish seed transport vehicle (bowser), and this mode of fish seed transport has become very popular in the country. At present, over 90% of fish seed transport is carried out using bowsers. Introduction of this bowser has made fish seed transport process easier, efficient and economical. The use of the bowser has prevented pollution due to non-necessity of using a large quantity of polythene for packing, making this practice environmentally friendly. Availability of fish seed transport bowsers facilitated enhanced stocking of water bodies and facilitated the development of CBF in Sri Lanka. Design and the features of the fish seed transport bowser are described in this paper together with discussion on its impact, advantages, disadvantages and economics.