"Enhancing Coastal Fishing Operations for the Well-being of Small-Scale Fishers: Infrastructure and Safety Initiatives in Sri Lanka"

-

Aruna Sampath M. - 16:09:2023

Fishing is a hard occupation. Fishers face numerous challenges in their daily fishing operations. In light of the characteristics of fishing operations, the International Labour Organization (ILO)[i] and FAO[ii] have also introduced guidelines aimed at standardizing and enhancing safety in fisheries worldwide. Coastal fishing operations play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's fisheries industry, not only contributing significantly to production but also generating a substantial number of both direct and indirect employment opportunities.

The development of proper infrastructure facilities for coastal fishing operations is crucial for the well-being of small-scale fishers[iii] and the sustainability of their livelihoods. This includes the establishment of efficient landing sites, designated areas for net mending, ensuring safe and accessible pathways to these sites, and providing ample space for docking boats. These essential facilities are instrumental in reducing the challenges faced by fishers and enabling them to conduct their fishing operations with greater ease and safety.

 Landing centers or sites for fishermen often cater to the needs of small-scale fisheries. They play an important role as hubs for the initial sale of products and provide fishermen with facilities that are necessary for their work. These centers not only act as the initial point of sale for the fishermen's catches, but they also provide a convenient place for the fishermen to park their boats and gain access to essential supplies such as food, fuel, and ice[iv]. Recognizing the pivotal role of fish landing centers in supporting small-scale fisheries, guidelines for fish landing have been developed by FAO[v] and several other countries[vi], [vii]. Furthermore, FAO has also produced a report on fish landing centers in Sri Lanka[viii].

 However, it has been observed that at the fishing landing centers, fishermen have to work hard to drag their boats by hand into the water and the landing center. This not only incurs additional costs for fisheries but also leads to physical damage for the fishers. Furthermore, the presence of rocks and coral particles at these fish landing sites often results in damage to fishing boats. Hence, it is imperative to prioritize the provision of infrastructure facilities to support the needs of small-scale fishers across the country, thereby ensuring the well-being of the fishers and the industry.

16:09:2023

[i] ILO, International Labour Standards on Fishers, https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/subjects-covered-by-international-labour-standards/fishers/lang--en/index.htm

[ii] Kurien, J. (2015). Voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication: summary.

[iii]  “Small-scale fisheries are labour intensive and are conducted by artisanal craftsmen whose level of income, mechanical sophistication, quantity of production, fishing range, political influence, market outlets, employment and social mobility and fïnancial dependence, keep them subservient to the economic decisions and operating constraints placed upon them by those who buy their production.” (FAO - Medina Pizzali, A.F., 1988 Small-scale fish
landing and marketing facilities. FAO Fish.Tech.Pap., (291) )

[iv] FAO “Landing Sites in Small-Scale Fisheries”, https://www.fao.org/flw-in-fish-value-chains/value-chain/flw-in-fish-value-chainsvalue-chainwholesale/landing-sites-in-small-scale-fisheries/fr/

[v] Medina Pizzali, A.F., 1988 Small-scale fish, landing and marketing facilities. FAO Fish.Tech.Pap.,  (291):68 p., https://www.fao.org/3/t0388e/T0388E00.htm

[vi] Alkaderi, A. A., & Fadhl, G. K. (2023). ASSESSMENT OF DESIGN STANDARDS FOR FISH LANDING CENTERS IN THE CITY OF ADEN. Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, 28(1), 4.

[vii] J.A. Sciortino, Design of Sanitary Standards for Landing Sites”, SFP-ACP/OTC Secretariat of ACP Group Of States, https://www.fao.org/flw-in-fish-value-chains/resources/resources/Design-of-Sanitary-Standards-for-Landing-Sites

[viii] Diffey, S. (2012). Developing fish landing centres: experiences and lessons from Sri Lanka, https://www.fao.org/3/i3083e/i3083e.pdf

Photos of  Sri Lankan Landing Sites (Rakawa - Tangalle, Landing Site Closed to milady Habour - Jaffna)

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dead turtles washed ashore in Sri Lankan beaches

-
Image
  By A. Sampath M :   20 th June 2021 Sea turtles have been around for millions of years . Declines in sea turtle populations are a major concern and today all sea turtle species are globally protected [1] . Under the schedule ii (section 30) of fauna and flora protection (amendment) act, no. 22 of 2009 Mammals and Reptiles that are Strictly Protected [2] . The sea turtles species have been included to in this scheduled.     There are   seven living sea turtle species recorded in the world [3] , five species were reported in the coastal belt of Sri Lanka coming for nesting: Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas),Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) [4] Turtles' nesting beaches of Sri Lanka  Sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation as a result of slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells. In addition to that habitat destruction, bycatch—in fishing gear, climat
Read more

Fisheries Regulations relating to small meshed nets operation in Lagoons of Sri Lanka

-
Image
  The Fishing Operations Regulations of 1996 [1]   explain the fishing activities that can operate in the country.   Section three (3) of the regulation stated that        “No person shall engage in, or cause any other person to engage in, any fishing operation specified in Part I of the Schedule 'here to, in the sea, estuaries or coastal lagoons of Sri Lanka except under the authority of a license issued under these regulations and otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions attached to such license”.   Section     10 of the part 1 (SHEDULE) of the regulation shows that the “operations carried out by Stake Net (Kattu Del)   ("Stake Net" (Kattu Del) means a net consisting of a conical or cylindrical trap with or without a frame and with a device which draws the fish into the net) can be operated with the license given by department of fisheries.   Therefore it is clear that the Stake net is legally accepted fishing techniques that can function in th
Read more