CFC SDG Action team – Introduction
Ceylon Fisheries Cooperation, the Leading Commercial Organization, plays a vital role in guiding and promoting fish production and trade for the benefit of both consumers and producers. As the pioneer in establishing and maintaining Sri Lanka's most stable and widespread cold chain, CFC operates under government supervision.
Recognizing the responsibility to fulfill the nation's protein requirements, CFC manages the entire fish harvest process, ensuring a seamless cold chain from fishermen to consumers. Moreover, CFC supplies high-quality fish to hospitals and major government organizations at the best prices. By prioritizing the well-being of fishermen, CFC uplifts their lives and improves the quality of their products. Through the application of modern processing technologies, CFC minimizes post-harvest losses and ensures the availability of quality fish and value-added products at reasonable prices.
Given the extensive scope of these responsibilities and the vision for sustainable development, CFC identified the need for a dedicated team. To help Sri Lanka achieve its sustainable development goals, CFC established a committee as per Circular No. PS/SP/SB/C/22/2019. With the blessings of the senior management team, Ministry, and governing team, the SDG action team was founded in 2021 by Eng. K A Rajitha Punsara, Mechanical Engineer of CFC and known community worker who works for SDG.
The SDG Action team (committee) of CFC has identified the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as key goals to be achieved:
o The committee aims to reduce poverty within the fisheries community by improving their living standards and enabling them to sell their harvest at reasonable prices through the national cold chain. This involves increasing their income by purchasing their harvest at fair prices and maintaining stability in the market through effective stock control.
o CFC strives to meet the nation's protein requirements by ensuring a safe, nutritious, and sufficient supply of fish throughout the year. They support small-scale fishermen in doubling their sustainable harvest through education, equal opportunities for fishing, introduction of new technologies, and addressing trade restrictions. Additionally, measures are taken to stabilize fish prices and provide timely market information to limit extreme price volatility.
· GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
o CFC plays a role in promoting good health and well-being among the Sri Lankan community by providing safe, nutritious, and sufficient fish throughout the year.
· GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
o To achieve this goal, CFC focuses on introducing, developing, and maintaining a quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient national cold chain accessible to all. They aim to foster inclusive and sustainable industrialization within the fisheries industry, minimize post-harvest losses, promote new technologies for sustainable consumption, improve infrastructure for fishermen to reach customers, and utilize technology efficiently. Encouraging research and development activities that enhance local fishing technologies and protect and add value to the harvest is also a priority.
· GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
o CFC aligns with Sri Lanka's 10-year framework of programs on sustainable consumption and production. They aim to achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources through the adoption of technology, innovation, best practices, research, and education. Their focus is on reducing fish food waste at retail and consumer levels, minimizing losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. Recycling fish-related waste to create usable products and sustaining the system is also part of their commitment.
o CFC strives to provide small-scale artisanal fishers with access to marine resources and markets. They actively contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law, such as UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). This includes regulating harvesting practices, combating overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, preventing destructive fishing practices, and implementing science-based management plans.
· GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
o CFC recognizes the importance of partnerships in achieving the SDGs. They collaborate with various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry players, and community organizations, to work collectively towards achieving the sustainable development goals.
