ISSUES WHICH FACE BY THE TRADITIONAL COASTAL FISHERIES INDUSTRY IN NEGOMBO FISHRIES COMMUNITY

Abstract

This research mainly examines the issues which face to develop the traditional coastal fisheries industry in Negombo fisheries community. This research gives the importance and the value of fisheries sector for Sri Lankan economy, behaviour and role of fishermens’ livelihood while facing critical issues in the coastal fisheries sector when the development. Negombo is the famous fishing village since our ancestors’ period. Hence the coastal fisheries industry has been facing some issues when they are engaging in this industry in Negombo coastal area. Highest poverty level in the fisheries community is the most important issue. Hence based on this issue the whole economic and social problems have been generated The research has been performed by using primary data gathered from Focus Group Discussions, Interviews and Participatory Observations. Mainly mixed method has been used for gathered information for this research. Focus Group Discussions have been held with the ten members groups in ten fisheries villages. The sample is 100 members from fishermen community. Unstructured interviews have been performed with government sector responsible officers related to fisheries sector. Participatory observations have been performed by using experiences by observing and dealing with livelihood of fishermen and their families. Questionnaires have been used for collecting data at the interviews with fisheries community and officers from various government organizations. Two types of questionnaire formats have been used for gathered information. Secondary data has been gathered from publications performed by both government and private sector organizations. This type of researches and articles has been reviewed for providing literature for this study. Both Qualitative and Quantitative data has been used for analyse this research. In the analysis part, numerical data has been analysed with MS Excel package. Other each discussion has been performed by using descriptive method in qualitative approach. When analysing data the researcher has been identified main twelve reasons for affecting to traditional coastal fisheries industry in Negombo Divisional Secretariat Division. Mainly the participants have been emphasized that adverse effects from Colombo Port City project, coastal environment pollution, restriction nets and instruments, lack of assistance and substitutes are the main reasons for the industry etc. Mainly the people who are engaging fisheries industry they have poor financial management. Education level and facilities for education is in poor level in fisheries community. Most of their children have not target for success in education. They are aiming to support ton their fathers to fisheries activities. However some fishermen are target in to provide good education for their children to avoid continuing this fisheries activities. Aging people have not any assurance for their lives. They have not a pension scheme, life insurance or any other asset. Each fisherman says that if any government come to the office, nobody want to get long term solutions for protect and uplift the traditional coastal fisheries industry. Based on the found-out issues as implications for the further research, researcher has suggested some recommendations like the Government intervention should be necessary for buying fisheries boats and related instruments, stop adverse environmental influences from Port City project immediately, stop the environmental pollution, strictly follows the laws and regulations for the sustainability of the biodiversity both sea and land, providing welfare facilities an d Insurance schemes for fisheries communities etc.