Comparative Study on Current Fishing Status of Paalameenmadu and Kallar Barmouths in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Batticaloa lagoon is one of the productive estuaries on the East coast of Sri Lanka and is connected to the sea at two points, Paalameenmadu and Kallar barmouths. The entire dynamics of the lagoon is based on the seasonal opening and closing of the above barmouths which influences the fish catch composition in nearby fishing areas. This study collects information on current fishing practices, species composition of the catch, and seasonal catch species composition, the level of awareness on fishing regulation and sustainable fishery using semi-structured questionnaire. Fisheries data were collected from 10 major barmouth fishery landing sites from January to April 2021. 210 respondents were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect responses after a pre-test and analysed with descriptive statistics method using SPSS.  The study revealed that Paalameenmadu barmouth was opened annually and Kallar barmouth has been closed for the last five years. The most practiced crafts in Paalameenmadu are outboard Fiber Reinforced Plastic boats (OFRP) by 35.26% of fishers and small lagoon canoes by 87.04% fishers in Kallar. A total of seven types of fishing gears are used, among them hook and line, cast net, and dragnet were identified as major fishing gears operated. 30 aquatic species have been recorded in the catch, representing 17 families. Among them, dominant fish families are Scombridae 17.11% and Penaeidae 14.81% in Paalameenmadu. In the Kallar, family Penaeidae 18.75% and Gerreidae 16.32% have been recorded. Barmouth opening is favourable for fishing and 38.57% Penaeidae species were caught during barmouth opening period. Community response that Irregular and early barmouth opening have caused a reduction in fish production which impacts on economic activities. Fishermen have good awareness on importance of fishery resources sustainability and these resources need to be preserved for future generations through proper management practices.