Community perception issues and expectations on efficient culture based fisheries production in irrigation reservoirs of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a community awareness program for the fishing community associated with 48 irrigation reservoirs (13 small-scale irrigation reservoirs, 25 medium-scale irrigation reservoirs, and 10 large-scale irrigation reservoirs) in 10 districts. The introductory program examined the perceptions and expectations of the CBF farming communities on improving the productivity, efficiency and sustainability of finfish and GFP farming in the CBF in Sri Lankan irrigation reservoirs. Common problems in GFP farming in all irrigation reservoirs include insufficient stocking of freshwater prawn larvae, predation by GFP, lack of formal methods for harvest of GFP, and predator damage. However, these issues can be different depending on the type of reservoir. Illegal fishing and trapping methods, and damage caused by wild elephants, are some of the other common problems that strongly affect the CBF.Although freshwater production in Sri Lanka operates under the name of ‘culture based fishery industry’, it is still not a competitive production industry or system aimed at maximising private profit, but rather fishing is perceived as a source of livelihood. Therefore, it is a production system that does not operate on a systematic business plan, nor does it implement small-scale guidelines that are accepted internationally. Policies should therefore be formulated based on experimental information on stocking, harvesting techniques and bioeconomic relationships to sustain GFP farming in CBF with the consideration of community perceptions and expectations.Fish farmers expect continued government subsidies for fingerling supply. However, CBF can be developed as a profit-oriented industry rather than a source of livelihood, taking into account the rural protein requirement, the supply of fish, and GFP fingerlings finance through investment based on member funds, according to a business plan. CBF can be sustained as an industry with the effective participation of the respective reservoir-based farmer–fisher cooperation for a more efficient district-level extension officer service, the understanding of problems and needs, participatory action research knowledge, and development of rural social and communication skills. The dependency of the fishing community on subsidies as well as the dependence of NAQDA for public finance can be gradually reduced. This consultation report suggests that NAQDA and the fishing community should make interdependent structural institutional reforms on an apolitical basis to make GFP farming a productive, efficient and sustainable ‘ industry’. Community perceptions and expectations play a decisive role in the efficiency and sustainability of CBF. Strategies that centre on participatory engagement, capacity building, equitable benefit distribution and responsive governance systems are essential to align CBF production goals with local realities.