Large stake net fishing method is a new threat in southern mannar island area

Abstract

Using illegal fishing methods in the form of dynamite, stupefying substance, other noxious, harmful materials or substance and bottom trawling methods are common practice throughout the coastal areas of Sri Lanka, especially in the northern Sri Lanka. As a result, marine resources especially, corals, mangroves, mammals the marine organisms of the sea bed and aquatic resources have not only been destroyed but also disrupted. In addition, valuable human life has been lost in these illegal processes. On the whole, it affects the entire fishing community. The fisheries act 1996 of ministry of Fisheries and aquatic resources strongly prohibits the above mentioned illegal fishing methods. Further, the department of fisheries in Mannar has also taken action to prohibit illegal fishing methods, such as tree logs, concrete logs, stones, car bodies, monofilament nets, and tree branches for cuttlefish (squid) fishing in the district since 2010. There was an urgent need for identifying the prohibited or illegal fishing activities and the use of dangerous or harmful substances in fishing. The present study was carried out in Mannar coastal area from June 2013 until the later part of December 2013. Such identification was focused on the major threats and impacts on the fishing community and the socio, economic and ecological impacts through case studies, field surveys and library methods. The study targets to find out appropriate planning and remedies to minimize illegal fishing and to save the coastal fishing community.