Hambantota district fisheries survey report

The recent disaster has caused serious damage to the Sri Lankan fishing industry. It is estimated that 18,000 small scale fishing crafts (12,000 traditional crafts) are completely damaged and need replacing

Responding to this situation, government and the NGOs are in a rapid phase of producing and distributing boats. But, many times it has been noticed that the boats thus given are different from the ones required by these fishermen.

Production of boats has also been expedited, which is based on the designs available with the government and private boatyards. But, many of the methodologies are not necessarily acceptable to the normal boat building principles and techniques, some times even at the cost of the quality of the end product. So, in order to understand what kind of boats fishermen use and need, ITDGPractical Action took Dr M H Gunaratne as a consultant to carry out a survey in Hambantota district in May 2005 (from 15th May to 15th June 2005. The database given below is an outcome of this survey).

Though marine fish resources in Sri Lanka are classified as coastal (up to 40 km) off-shore (40-100km) and deep-sea (beyond 100km).This study focused on coastal fishing, where an over-supply of boats is anticipated due to the lack of the deeper understanding of fishing practices. 

ITDGPractical Action is planning to further build on this knowledge and understanding and develop a database of different types of boats used by fishermen in each of the fishing clusters (around 30 different clusters in Hambantota District),and to make this information available for other organizations involved in building boats for the affected communities.

Objectives of the survey:

• To identify different types of Orus (sea-going and lagoon) and  FRP Boat (not multi-day) designs used by fishing communities in different fishing clusters of Hambantota district.
• To prepare database of fishing clusters, and types of fishing crafts used in each of these clusters (cooperatives, village communities associated with anchorages and fishery harbours).
• To develop a database of the types of nets used in different seasons, fishing practices and distances.
• Provide guidance to government, non government and private sector organizations involved in distribution and production of fishing crafts and nets for the Tsunami affected fishermen/women

Methodology

1. Collect information on standard types of fishing vessels used in Sri Lanka (sizes, materials, naval architectural characteristics, special features with drawings).
2. Visit each cluster and discuss with fishermen on the types of vessels they use, and collect information on the types of nets used in each season (month).
3. Identify deviations from the standard designs.
4. Develop standards for community designs and document.
5. Develop a database of fishing cluster (village) vs the types of vessels and nets being used.
6. Present the findings at a meeting organized by ITDGPractical Action.