Abstract:
The present study was carried out to analyze the economic loss of Sri Lankan fishers due to
the poaching activities by Indian trawlers. Fishery resources are major livelihoods in South
Indian and North Sri Lankan people who have been fished in harmony since ancient time
but the situation has gone upside down since early 90s. Because fish stocks on the Indian
side were fast depleting due to over-exploitation, the number of Indian fishing vessels
entering into Sri Lankan waters for fishing also rapidly increased. A survey was carried out
at Karainagar, Point Pedro and Mathagal region from September 2015 to February 2016 in
order to assess the economic loss of Sri Lankan fishers from indicated areas. Primary data
related to yield lost, income lost and nautical lost were collected from 100 families by
providing a pre-tested questionnaire and secondary data related to the economic lost were
collected from co-operative societies of the respective regions. Collected data were
subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and one-way analysis of variance. The highest
yield lost was recorded in Point Pedro followed by Mathagal, which were being
435.20 ± 125.8 kg/month and 428.10 ± 120.0 kg/month respectively. Mathagal area faced
significantly (P < 0.05) high amount of income lost (SLR/month 85, 571.00 ± 35,119.00)
than the other area. The nautical lost in Karainagar, Point Pedro and Mathagal area were 8,
6 and 5 Nautical Miles respectively. Fishers living in Mathagal and Point Pedro area faced
significantly (P < 0.05) high amount of economic lost by Indian trawlers than the Karainagar
area. From the present study it can be concluded that the intrusion of Indian trawlers into
the Sri Lankan territorial waters should be restricted in order to reduce the economic loss of
the Sri Lankan fishers.
