Irrigation Development on Lagoon Fisheries and Fishing Communities

Transcription

1 Irrigation Development on Lagoon Fisheries and Fishing Communities International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade Conference 7-11 July 2014, QUT Gardens, Point Brisbane, Australia Mohottala G. Kularatne Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences University of Kelaniya

2 Study area Administrative: Country : Sri Lanka Province: Southern District : Hambantota DSD : Hambantota GND : Hambantota East Village: Palle Malala Lagoon : MALALA

3 Bio-Physical System in Malala Lagoon Area of the lagoon: 6.5 km 2 Average Depth : 0.75m Catchment Area : 404 km 2 Fresh water Inlets : Malala, Weligaththa Ara, (A) Lunuganwehera chanal (B) Sea water Inlets/outlet : Sand bar (E) Lagoon water Out let : Irrigation channel (D)

4 Main changes in lagoon fishery Year No of fishermen Situation of Lagoon fishery 1965 Less than 25 (less population) Good in catch- low price 1965 to (less population) Less catch - Decrease water level due to the Drought 1975 to to to date. 300 (Increase of out side fisherman) 150 (FCS- regulated outsiders, less harvest of Shrimp) 240 (all members got the membership of FCS, joint more members to fishery) Good in shrimp harvest Increase water level- less shrimp/fish harvest Fluctuate water level / - Poor fish catch

5 Socio-Economic system * Total Households : 235 Fishing HH : 150 Non-Fishing HH : 85 * Main Economic Activities Agriculture (paddy farming and Chena cultivation) Fishing ( coastal and lagoon fishery) Animal Husbandry cattle and Buffalos Shell beds mining Collecting Fuel wood

6 Main changes in the bio-physical system within last 20 years. 1. Land use pattern in watershed area has been changed in 1986

7 2. Outlet of Kiridi oya right bank channel became a main freshwater inflow into the lagoon in 1986/87

8 2. Lagoon area (wetland) was declared as " Ramsar Site" in Lagoon area was declared as a national Park on

9 4. Outlet channel has been constructed 1994 by the Iirrigation department

10 Bio-physical changes in the lagoon system 1. Changes of water level Year Surface Area / ha Minimum Maximum 1983 N.A Changes of salinity Year Lowest Highest 1985/87 10 ppt 41ppt 1991/92 5 ppt 10ppt 1995/97 0 ppt 7ppt.

11 Bio-physical changes in the lagoon system 3. Changes of fish species composition Important fish species for economical and ecological balance Species Scientific Name Local Name 1991/ / /97 Metapenaeus spp. Eian Issa X X Bandi Issa X X Penaeus indicus Kiri Issa X Penaeus merguiensis Kiri Issa X X Penaeus monodon Karawadu X X Issa Gobius Weligouwa X X Hyporampus gaimaridi Morella X X Thryssa lagga X X Therapon Bataya X X

12 1. Effects on socio-economic system 1. Decreases in paddy production Period Average paddy production Before kg/ha 1990 to 1995/ kg/ha Average loss of pro kg/ha After 1996 Most of the land abandoned 2. Decrease in diary production and dairy Business 2500 THE TRENDS OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY FROM 1990 TO No of Animal Years from 1990 to 98 No of cattle No of Buffalo Total Marginal

13 3. Decreases in fish and shrimp production Fish production Ave.fish production Shrimp production Before 1986/ /92 After 1997 Not available 120kg/ha 60kg/ha 15.38kg/ha kg/ha 5.2kg/ha 15kg/ha Negligible 3.1 Decreasing the catch rate (same gear and craft combination) Year Catch rate per one operation kg After kg

14 Effects on Socio-economic situation 1. Changing employment pattern Employment pattern 1996/97 After 1997 Still fishermen 88% 60% Part time fishermen 3% 9% Fully stopped fishing 9% 31% 2. Changes of fishing techniques 2.1. Types of Nets 2.2.Fishing Frequency Types of Nets Percentage of fishermen Small Mesh Gill Nets 56 Large Mesh Gill Nets 12 Cast nets 32 2 to 5 times per day

15 4 4. Changes in fishery social ethics 5. Poor responding to the institutions 6. Conflicts among the community Conflicts groups Among fishermen Fishermen Vs Farmer Crop farmer Vs dairy farmers Fishermen Vs NRM institutions Crop Farmer Vs NRM institutions Dairy Farmer Vs NRM institutions External Institutions Vs. Local Organisation ins. Reason for conflicts Migrant fishermen., Loan Repayment Cut-open sand bar Damage to the crops by animal Fresh water intrusion to the lagoon Loss of fish and prawns in the lagoon Loss of agricultural land Flood Loss of grazing land Lack of Communication Declaration of Park and Park restriction

16 7. Changes of income distribution Income group (RS) 10yr. Before Current situation < > Positive impact on drinking water 9. Increases in diseases 10. Loss of agricultural land ownership 11. Increases of uncertainty of crew fisherman 12. Decreases in Secondary sources of Income 13. Restriction to the subsistence activities of households 14. Changes of fish consumption pattern

17 2. Effects on the Local level natural resources 1. Collecting fuel wood for commercial purposes Activity 1993 % of number of households After 1997 % of number of households Collection of fuel wood Collection of shells for lime Capture fish Livestock keeping

18 2. Shell mining; small shell burning place 14 persons have permits but many of minors are illegal 3. Hunting Birds 7 persons involved in illegal bird hunting

19 Irrigation development Impact on Lagoon Fishery in Southern Sri Lanka ( Palle Malala and Ambilikala Lagoon)

20 Acknowledgement SIDA SAREC Marine Science program, National Aquatic Research and resource Development Agency Many Thanks