Abstract:
Despite the fact that Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the country't
marine fisheries production is rather low, compared to that in other countries in the
region. The contribution from the fisherieS Sector to country'S economy is only a
mere 1.3% to the cDP. Sri Lanka's fishing fleet is dominated by one-day operating
crafts comprising traditional boats, in-board single day and out-board fiberglass
boats below about 10 m, wlrich is about 90% of the entire marine fishing fleet
totaling 52,300 in 2013. Allthese fishing crafts are vulnerable to rough seas during
periodi of storrny weather resulting in many casualties, unlike the larger multi-day
boutr. The majority of fishers engage in coastal fishing using one day operating
crafts though the government has taken policies to encourage offshore and deep-sea
fishing. the recent ban on fisheries imports from 5ri Lanka to countries in the
European Commission.has caused much concern among fishers' This study was
undertaken to determine the perception of fishers operating from several fisheries
harbours in the southern province by interviewing them on pertaining issues' lt was
observed that there is a general reluctance for fishers to sta\z away for several days
out in the deep sea. Among the reasons attributed by them for this situation are
stock depletion (100%), heavy expenditure necessary to venture out into deep sea,
difficulty in locating potential fishing grounds, difficulty in getting a worthwhile
return (100%), lack of awareness on standards to be maintained for exports (90%)
and lack of skills in the use of proper gear in offshore and deep-sea fishing' The
majority did not show enthusiasm in acquirrng training to improve these skills'
Most oithe fishers interviewed felt that the government intervention is nec-ossary to
get them a guaranteed price for their catch, regulate the fishing activities by foreign
vessels within Sri Lankan waters, prohibit illegal fishing methods such as course
net, ahd provide easy loan facilities to acquire vessels fined with necessary
communication, navigation and fishing-ground locating equipment' The survey
also found that the majority of fishers did not have any idea of clinrate change and
that increased stormy conditions in the future would make setting out to sea In
smal! boats becoming unsafe. lt is therefore essential that the Eovernment addresses
the fishers, oon..urnr- and take measures to strengthen the fleet of large vessels
having necessary facilities to undertalce multi-day fishing in conformity rvith
international standards. Such a move will help the country to increase its national
income and also make it safer for fishers to venture out to deep sea.
