Dissent on fisheries development; use of destructive fishing practices in Northern Sri Lanka
S.S.M. Peramunagama, MARE Conference 2017 People & the Sea IX: Dealing with Maritime MobilitiesAt: Roeterseiland complex, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
*1 Peramunagama, S.S.M., 2 Amarasinghe, O, 3 Dinushika, K.C., 4 Jayasinghe, A.D., 5 Srikrishnan, R., 6 Thileepan, A
1,2 Univeristy of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
3,4 Nha Trang University, Vietnam
5,6 University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
*swarnamalitha@gmail.com
Abstract
Since the onset of Blue Revolution in late 1950’s, technological progress in the sphere of fisherie s has resulted in impressive increases in fish production fish consumption, fishing incomes and employment. Yet, this process has also threatened the sustainability of fish resources and, among other things, the use of destructive gear, appears to emerge as a crucial factor causing resource degradation. This paper aims at exploring the diverse destructive fishing practices used by fishers in Northern Sri Lanka, based on a study undertaken in Vankalai, a fisheries village in Mannar District of Northern Sri Lanka, Methodology employed consisted of a pretested structured questionnaire administered to a sample of fishers and conducting focus group discussions with selected groups of men and women from the fishing community. The study revealed that monofilament nets, trawl nets, dynamite, brush-pile and diving are extensively used by the fishers, all of which fall under ‘banned gear’, according to Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act 1996. However, the use of such gear has facilitated in catching more fish and earning high incomes. Results of the study revealed that, although fishers acknowledged that the above fishing practices are environmentally unfriendly and destructive, they are compelled to engage in such practices due to serious threats to their livelihoods caused by other stakeholders, especially those outside their community, exploiting their traditional fishing grounds. This paper provides insights into the pervasive use of destructive fishing practices in Northern Sri Lanka and, highlights the need to regulate technological change, strictly enforce fisheries laws against the use of banned gear, institute governance mechanisms to deal with outsiders and conduct educational and awareness programmes on the need to maintain resource sustainability and popularize environmentally-friendly fishing techniques.