Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstract

The Effectiveness of Co-management Practices: The Case of Small-scale Fisheries in Sri Lanka

Vyddiyaratnam Pathmanandakumar*

Majority of the fishers involves in small-scale fishing in Sri Lanka and facing difficulties to cope with coastal population. The fish stocks are declining that threaten reproductive capacity. If this is continuing, the provision of food and livelihoods to the poor fishers will be in trouble in future. There should be radical changes in the fisheries policies. In addition, fundamental reforms should be made to manage small-scale fisheries smoothly. Small-scale fisheries in Sri Lanka heavily rely on outside controls which lead to unsustainable of the sector. Managers should be away from making obstacle in the form of management measures. Scientists should involve directly with fishery management agencies to understand the needs of the agencies. Resource managers must be involved in regulating fishing output by imposing limitation on entry, numbers of vessels, short-fishing seasons etc. In the future, it is expected that proper management of small-scale fisheries will provide sustainable benefits to the fishing communities in Sri Lanka.