A socio economic study of kraal fisheries in Bolgoda estuary and Rekawa lagoon, Sri Lanka | |
| Author | Perera, P. A. J. Chintha |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AC-99-21 |
| Subject(s) | Fisheries--Sri Lanka Economics--Sri Lanka--Sociological aspects |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AC-99-21 |
| Abstract | Kraal fishing gear is associated with some lagoons and estuaries in the Western and Southern coastal areas of Sri Lanka. At present 30% of the total fish production comes from traditional fisheries like kraal and stake seine fisheries showing their importance. Kraal main catch consists of commercially important shrimp species. The user rights to operate kraal-fishing gear cbuld be obtained by way of license. According to kraals regulations an unlimited number of kraals can be built in the lagoon/estuaries. The study reveals presently kraal fishermen from both areas are facing lot of problems with regard to kraal fishery such as pollution of estuary/lagoons, mangrove destruction, high cost of kraal construction materials. Therefore the study reveals due to these problems kraal fishermen are getting low shrimp/ fish catches from kraals. Further results shows as a result of low catch the number of kraals are decreasing rapidly in both areas. Kraal fishery in Rekawa lagoon is seasonal. Therefore these fishermen engage themselves in kraal fishery only for the kraal season. Further the study reveals low catch obtained from kraal fishing gear most of the fishermen do not have economic power to construct kraals. As a result most of the fishermen in Bolgoda estuary are operating kraals only for the kraal season. Structure of the kraal, materials to be used to construct kraal, way of construction of kraals and species composition are different from Bolgoda estuary to Rekawa lagoon. Compared to Rekawa lagoon constructions of kraals are more difficult in Bolgoda estuary and also the construction cost is very high in Bolgoda estuary. The other important thing is compared to kraal catches in Bolgoda estuary in Rekawa kraal catches are more economically important. The reason is in Rekawa most of the kraal catches are consists of most economically important shrimp species of Penaied indicus. Therefore results shows compared to Bolgoda fishermen kraal fishermen from Rekawa are getting considerable income of kraals due to above reasons. The results show most of the kraal fishermen's living conditions are poor and most of the houses were constructed temporally. Due to lack of any extra income from kraals, they have no expectations to build houses or purchase any luxury items Instead of housing construction they wish to increase the number of traps for the following year's kraal season. Therefore their greatest ambition is to collect money for the following year's kraal construction, and not housing construction. Because more traps means more income from kraal fishery. The savings pattern among kraal fishermen also seems to be very poor. This may be due to these fishermen's income being irregular and also the lack of any extra income from kraals. The study reveals Instead of housing construction they wish to increase the number of traps for the following year's kraal season. Income from kraal fishing fluctuate day to day. Therefore it is difficult to calculate the exact fishing income derived from kraal fishing gear being irregular and uneven. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AC-99-21 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural, Conservation and Rural Development (AC) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dale, Reidar; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thapa, Gopal B.;Barbara Earth; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Norwegian Agency for the Development; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |