Shrimp aquaculture supports many livelihoods in Sri Lanka, yet it faces persistent challenges that affect its productivity, sustainability and resilience to economic and environmental shocks.
These challenges include persistent and recurring diseases, extreme weather events, fragmented administrative mechanisms, weak traceability, and limits to timely decision-making.
In response, Sri Lanka teamed up with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to develop the Shrimp Industry Information System (SIIS), a national digital platform that connects farmers and hatcheries, laboratories and regulators, exporters and policymakers through real-time data and analytics.
Official launch of the Shrimp Industry Information System (SIIS) with the Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources; H.E. Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Digital Economy; Dr. Kwang Suk Oh, Senior Fishery Officer, FAO Rome; and Mr. Sinnadurai Thayaparan, Managing Director, Techno Crest Ventures (Pvt) Ltd.
SIIS, which was launched on 13 November 2025, is hosted by the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA) and brings together Big Data, artificial intelligence and early-warning systems to support decision-making.
It also leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) — an interconnected system of sensors, devices and data networks that allow remote, real-time monitoring of shrimp farms.
Users can access SIIS through both mobile and web applications to monitor farm conditions, record water quality parameters, report diseases, and receive automated alerts and advisories.
“This smart technology enhances management efficiency, reduces disease risks, and enables farmers to make informed, data-driven decisions anytime, anywhere,” explains KwangSuk Oh, Senior Fishery Officer at FAO.
“The system also enables rapid responses to emerging risks and supports data-driven regulatory compliance,” he adds.
Dr KwangSuk Oh, Senior Fishery Officer and project Lead Technical Officer, FAO Rome at the SIIS launching ceremony.
For example, farmers, hatchery operators and exporters can use SIIS to apply for registrations and licenses, to file regulatory and market compliance documentation, and to receive real-time weather, health and management alerts.
The platform also acts as a knowledge repository where users can consult journals, research papers, guidelines and reference materials.
The SIIS is in line with many of the recommendations contained in the FAO Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA). These include using a single-window approach to streamline administrative procedures for farmers and producers, implementing early warning systems for biosecurity and climate resilience, and promoting transparency in the value chain.
Left to right: Prof. Sanath Hettiarachchi, Chairman, NARA; Dr. Dimitar Taskov, Aquaculture Specialist and project coordinator, FAO Rome; Mr. Kithsiri Dharmapriya, Chairman, NAQDA; Dr. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources; H.E. Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka; Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources; Dr. Kwang Suk Oh, Senior Fishery Officer and project Lead Technical Officer, FAO Rome; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Digital Economy; Mr. Sumudu Rathnayaka, Advisor to the Ministry of Digital Economy; Mr. Nalin Munasinghe, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), Sri Lanka; and Mr. Sinnadurai Thayaparan, Managing Director, Techno Crest Ventures (Pvt) Ltd.
SIIS was developed under the Smart Aquaculture Biosecurity (SAB) project, which is funded by the Republic of Korea and implemented by FAO to support partner countries in improving their capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to aquatic animal health threats.
By leveraging smart digital technologies to bring multiple functions together, SIIS lays the foundation for a sustainable, competitive, and export-ready aquaculture industry in Sri Lanka – one that can support strengthened livelihoods for the coastal communities that depend on shrimp farming.
Sri Lanka's First Digital Platform for Smart and Sustainable Shrim Aquaculture
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