Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society

Journal > Table of Contents > Volume 13 Issue 3 > Abstract

Development of co-management in the Inland Fisheries in Sri Lanka: Case studies of Senenayake Samudra and Mahavilachchiya Reservoirs

M. Kulatilake¹, H.S.W.A. Liyanage², W.M.J.R Fernando², J. Chandrasoma¹ and M. Van der Knaap^3*

¹Aquatic Resource Development and Quality Improvement Project, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource, 5th Floor, New Secretariat, Maligawatte, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
²National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka 758, Baseline Rd, Colombo 09, Sri Lanka
³PO Box 43, 6700AA Wageningen, Netherlands

*Corresponding author: martin@maxillion.eu

Abstract

The Aquatic Resource Development and Quality Improvement Project in Sri Lanka conducted the first country-wide survey of the inland fisheries, with emphasis on reservoirs. The same project also introduced a form of co-management on selected reservoirs, which would assure sustainable management of the fisheries and which are regularly enhanced by stocking of fingerlings from aquaculture centers. A comparison is made between two reservoirs including all management tools that are available and used for its fisheries. Results from the case studies could be applied to other reservoirs throughout the island also.

Keywords: frame survey, community-based organization, co-operative society, stakeholders, illegal fishing