Browsing by Author "Herath, H.M.T.N.B."
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Item Assessing the Ecological Impact of the Bottom-set Crab Net Fishery for Portunus pelagicus on Non-Target Species at Thuraiyoor, Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Subaha, V.; Wickramaratne, I.U.; Herath, H.M.T.N.B.The bottom-set crab net Portunus pelagicus fishery has been recently developed and is now one of the top livelihoods of Thuraiyoor fishermen, which is located in Jaffna District inside the Palk Bay. The crab net fishery seems to be ecosystem friendly when compared with trawling. However, a better understanding of the ecological impact is lacking in the Sri Lankan context. This study aimed to quantify the total bycatch, determine the catch composition of non-target species and examine the likely impact of the fishery on nontarget species. Data were collected using a fishery dependent survey. From the total catch observed from the 152 net-sets, 45% of the catch was targeted catch and 55% was bycatch. The resulted proportion of bycatch as valuable bycatch (i.e. retained) and discarded bycatch were 40% and 15% respectively. Based on fishery dependent surveys, a total number of 84 non-target species were observed in the bycatch. The bycatch included 32 species of fish, 23 species of crustaceans, 18 species of mollusks, 9 species of echinoderms and 2 species of cnidaria. Among the total bycatch, spider conch (Lambis lambis) comprised 30% of the total catch by weight and identified as a main species. The remaining 25% included all other non-targeted species and the majority were mollusks and crustaceans. The automated Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) vulnerability score and MSC overall score for spider conch were as 2.35 and 89 respectively, which is equivalent to an Unconditional Pass of the MSC Fishery Standard for Sustainable Fisheries. Consequently, this study at Thuraiyoor supports earlier studies in the Palk Bay, which indicate that the ecological impact on the non-target species by bottom-set crab net P. pelagicus fisheries in the Palk Bay is a low conservation concern at present.Item A Comparative Study on Ancient and Contemporary Fisheries Management Systems in Inland Reservoirs of Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka: A Review(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Lakpawan, W.M.P.; Liyanage, N.P.P.; Tennakoon, T.M.P.S.I.; Herath, H.M.T.N.B.; Kulathilaka, C.J.P.Archaeological evidences prove that fishery activities were initiated during pre-historic era. According to historical evidences, inland fishery was one of the important economic activities in ancient Sri Lanka and it was regularized after introduction of freshwater fish species during British period. This study was focused on investigation of ancient and contemporary fisheries management systems under four criteria such as, decision making, fishing gears, fish varieties, fish selling and revenue process in Anuradhapura District. 220 fishermen were selected using stratified sampling and data were collected using selfadministrated questionnaire, interviews with key persons and group discussions with fishermen. Secondary information was collected from National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and library survey. Results of the present study revealed that current fishery practices were managed through community based organizations, NAQDA officers and strong legal framework. As recorded in literature, ancient inland fishery activities were managed by Welwidane with the support of set of norms. In ancient time karaka, Kemana, Iratiya, Athnagu were used as fishing gears to catch native fishes such as Heteropneustes sp, Anabas sp, Channa sp, Wallago sp. At present, pole & line and gill nets were used as legally accepted gears to catch exotic food fishes such as Indian/ Chinese carps and Tilapia. Mainly barter system was applied during the ancient period and Machchabaga & Diyabeduma taxes were applied for harvest & usage of tank. Currently, organized fish selling system is practicing at landing sites and in well managed fishery systems, toll collection was observed. However, no direct taxes were applied in contemporary systems. Both pros and cons were identified in two systems. Abiding nature of villagers, dissemination of harvest and community services practiced can be taken as positive examples from ancient systemItem Illustration of Key Morphological Characteristics of Highly Demanded, Export Restricted and Export Prohibited Marine Ornamental Fish Species in Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Dhananjaya, B.G.N.; Dias, P.C.B.; Herath, H.M.T.N.B.; Deyshappriya, N.P.R.; Liyanage, N.P.P.The marine ornamental fish export industry becomes a valuable foreign income generator over the past few years. However, illegal exporting of marine ornamental fishes has threatened the most marine species. Illegal exports continue, despite the available sufficient regulations including Fauna and Flora Protection Act No 49 of 1993 and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 02 of 1996 of Sri Lanka. Illegal exporting of marine ornamental fishes also attributed to the misidentification of the marine species. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a user-friendly marine ornamental fish identification guide based on a dichotomous key which aids to minimize the misidentification issues. Ten highly demanded marine ornamental species were selected from the Sri Lanka Customs database. In addition to that, 14 export restricted marine ornamental species and 17 export-prohibited species were chosen for preparation of the guide based on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 02 of 1996. Secondary data were utilized to identify the morphometric and meristic characters that discriminate against the fish families. Morphological characters used to identify the species are included; body colour, body patterns, pectoral fin length, presence of stripes, number and position of the photophores, and head length. Fish species that live in the same area at the adult growth stage was used for collecting morphological characteristics among individuals of the same species. Forty-one species under the 16 families were included in the dichotomous key to find out from the study that Family Chaetodontidae has the highest number of restricted species (n=12). Under the prohibited species, family Haemulidae bears the highest number of species (n=4). The developed guide is important for fish divers, collectors, exporters as well as customs officers to identify the restricted and prohibited species. The dichotomous key developed in the present study will be utilized for the development of marine ornamental fish identification mobile application. Keywords: Dichotomous key, Marine ornamental fish, Sri Lanka, Mobile applicationItem Social Relationships of Dried Fish Producers in Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Yuganthan, A.; Wickramaratne, I.U.; Koralagama, D.N.; Herath, H.M.T.N.B.Being a traditional source of animal protein in local diet, dried fish accounts for 4% in Sri Lankan average monthly household expenditure. Although, 70% of local dried fish products come from North & East Provinces, a production oriented dried fish studies are lacking. This study aims to investigate producer based intra & inter relationships & social & cultural influences on dried fish production. A mixed method approach was adapted to glean data from Kinniya & Muthur in Trincomalee District in Eastern Sri Lanka. A questionnaire survey (n=60) & in-depth interviews (n=10) were conducted to gather quantitative & qualitative data respectively. The snowball sampling method was employed. Gathered data were analyzed descriptively. Findings unravel multiple intra & inter relationships of dried fish producers particularly on knowledge sharing, fresh fish supply, supporters & buyers. Awareness on dried fish processing descends from parents (53%). Fresh fish sources are; boat owners (35%), fishermen (31%) & fish traders (25%). Intra relationships are prominent among supporters such as family & siblings (44%), friends (21%) & relatives (16%). Almost all producers (100%) sell through wholesaler demonstrating an external relationship with outsiders. Albeit, there are multi-faceted intra & inter relationships, an institutional arrangement is lacking. Muslims culture in both sites allows only men to engage in dried fish processing minimizing women involvement. Social & cultural analysis indicated that intra & inter relationships are converged toward family, siblings & relatives representing inner most tier of the community. Religion & cultural taboos further restrict expansion of the industry. Establishment of dried fish producers, association would be worthwhile by giving equal opportunities for both men & women producers that broaden their social networks & relationships to expand productionItem Study on Illegal Fishing Practices Used for Exploitation of Fishery Resources in the Koggala Lagoon, Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Guruge, S.H.; Herath, H.M.T.N.B.; Wickramaratne, I.U.Koggala lagoon is located in Galle district with a significant contribution to the fishery sector of Sri Lanka. The inevitability of illegal fishing practices causing a threat to the commercially important fish populations due to strengthened demand, higher prices, and emerging competition in the market, had also been a serious issue in the fishery of Koggala lagoon. The objectives of the present study were to, identify the illegal fishing methods practiced in the lagoon and quantify the approximate illegal production. A selfadministrated questionnaire survey was designed and pre-tested to collect sociodemographic details of the sixty fishermen and also average production data using illegal fishing gears over three months from October to December 2019. Catch data were collected to calculate the Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) in common fishing gears. The Garret ranking technique was applied to assess the degree of severity of the fishing gears according to the lagoon fishermen’s perception. Results of the questionnaire survey indicated that gillnets (97%) with less than 3 ½” mesh size and monofilament nets (48%) were the most common illegal fishing gears used among the lagoon fishermen. Among the wide range of mesh sizes of the gillnets, 57.15 mm (2 ¼”) size was frequently (23.3%) used for fishing in the lagoon. According to the fishermen’s perception on the weight of the harvest and the size of the juveniles, the fixed purse net was found to be the most detrimental gear used in the lagoon (1.79 kg hour-1 ). However, considering the average catch data, the fixed purse net (7.64 kg) was also the most efficient gear used in the Koggala lagoon. The current study revealed that illegal fishing is very common in the lagoon violating government rules and regulations. Therefore, active legal enforcements and monitoring on illegal fishing practices such as usage of over-small mesh nets and monofilament nets are extremely important in preventing overexploitation of fish populations. Keywords: Koggala lagoon, Illegal fishing, Sustainable utilization, Garret’s ranking technique, Socio-demography