The Nuwara Eliya District Office of the National Aquaculture Development Authority took steps to release 66,000 Mrigal fingerlings into the Maussakelle Reservoir with the aim of raising the nutritional status of the people in the plantation sector.

Officials from the Nuwara Eliya District Office of the National Aquaculture Development Authority mentioned that Mrigal fingerlings bred at the Udawalawa Fish Breeding Centre were released into the reservoir under Central Provincial Council allocations, with transport assistance provided by the Maussakelle Reservoir Fisheries Society.

They also stated that these fingerlings released into the reservoir grow to a weight between 1 and 1 ½ kilograms within a period of 9 to 10 months, after which the harvest is reaped by the fishermen of the reservoir.

Furthermore, the fish harvest reaped in this manner is scheduled to be sold to the people in the plantation sector at a very low price. Officials further mentioned that since there is also a strong demand for freshwater fish in tourist hotels located in the area, the economic status of the fishermen in the reservoir will rise through this.