Southern Fisheries Perception on the Present Status of Offshore and Deep-Sea Fishing Industry in Sri Lanka.

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.