Preliminary Study on Fishery of Gurunagar in Jaffna, Sri Lanka Penaeus monodon
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Date
2020
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Gurunagar is one of the major fishing centers and its production rate also high compared
with other fishing villages in Jaffna west. Effective sustainable fisheries management
measures were not highlighted in Gurunagar fishery previously. This study aimed at
collecting information on fishing practices, species composition, fish production, catch
per unit effort, supply chain and market structure, and the level of awareness of fisher
community as baseline information on fishery sustainability to improve fishery
management. This study was carried out from October 2019 to January 2020. Primary
data were pre-tested and collected using a questionnaire from 60 individuals, personal
interviews, and direct field observation. Secondary data were collected from the Fisheries
Department at Jaffna, and journal articles. Data were analysed statistically. The study
revealed that a total of 12 types of fishing gears and 5 types of fishing crafts used in
Gurunagar fishery. A total number of 53 species, representing 32 families were identified
in the Gurunagar fish landing site during the study period. Average fresh fish and dried
fish production were found 606 Mt and 56 Mt from October to December, respectively.
Fishers caught 8 to 19 kg/100 net square meter-hours, 1 to 2 kg/100 net square meterhours, 1 kg/100 net square meter-hours, and 3 to 4 kg/100 hook-hours using a trawl net,
gill net, stake net, and long line on average, respectively. Gurunagar fishery supply chains
represented both local and foreign market interventions. Average profit/kg for prawns,
seer fish, and needle cuttlefish were 1700, 565, and 425 LKR respectively. Gurunagar
fisher community has moderate awareness of the importance of fishery sustainability.
Current study findings may pave the way to improve the fishery management system of
the Gurunagar area.
Keywords: Gurunagar, Supply chain, Fishery sustainability, Catch per unit effort,
Awareness
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Keywords
Aquaculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Animal Sciences