Relationship between Food Security and Fisheries Resources of the Three Coastal Zone Fisheries Villages in Kalpitiya Peninsula

Abstract

Relationship between food security and fisheries resources are important to be considered in Kalpitiya area. The study area is highly rich in fisheries resource. A major fishing ground with a lagoon is located in Kalpitiya area. The study area has minimum opportunity to crop and livestock based agriculture. The people living in this area totally depend on seasonal fishing. Due to seasonal fish abundance resulting in imbalanced financial gain, over exploitation and illegal fishing with political influence seriously damage this fisheries resource. Catch data, off season effect and the illegal fishing details indicated that all the villages show significant variation in seasonal fish catch. To fulfill the minimum needs and gain maximum benefit fishermen intensify fishing pressure through illegal fishing. The study results showed that food security issue is directly correlated with illegal fishing intensity.