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Fisheries development and management plan of

Puttalam lagoon

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Maligawatte, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka

May 2013

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REGIONAL FISHERIES LIVELIHOODS PROGRAMME

FOR SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (RFLP)

---------------------------------------------------------

Fisheries development and management plan of Puttalam lagoon

(Activity 1.5.2 Prepare Fisheries Development and Management Plan through a

Stakeholder Task Force)

For the Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia

Prepared by


Maligawatte, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka

May 2013

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DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT

This publication has been made with the financial support of the Spanish Agency of International

Cooperation for Development (AECID) through an FAO trust-fund project, the Regional

Fisheries Livelihoods Programme (RFLP) for South and Southeast Asia - GCP/RAS/237/SPA.

The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinion of AECID, FAO, RFLP,

or MOFAR.

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For copies write to: Steve Needham, RFLP Information Officer

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E-mail: [email protected]

Bibliographic reference

For bibliographic purposes, please reference this publication as:

DFAR (2013c). Fisheries development and management plan of Puttalam lagoon, Regional

Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia (GCP/RAS/237/SPA): Field

Project Document 2013/LKA/CM/2.

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Preface Under Section 31 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, the declaration of

Puttalam lagoon as a Fishery Management Area by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources was published in the Gazette Extraordinary, No. 1665/17 of the Democratic Socialist

Republic of Sri Lanka, dated 04th

August 2010.

Puttalam lagoon is considered one of the most productive ‘basin estuaries’ in Sri Lanka.

Scattered among the 88 fishing villages around the lagoon are about 165,000 people directly or

indirectly dependent on Puttalam lagoon fisheries, including nearly 6,000 fishing directly in the

lagoon.

The terrestrial and wetland ecosystems in and around the lagoon comprise mangroves, tropical

dry mixed evergreen and thorn forests, salt marshes, rivers, sea grass beds and coral reefs. These

habitats are extremely productive and contribute to the sustenance of lagoon and near-shore

fisheries, functioning as nurseries and habitats for many commercially important species of fish

and crustaceans. They form a complex ecosystem, contributing to the increased biodiversity

associated with the lagoon.

Habitat destruction is by far the biggest threat affecting the Puttalam lagoon and its environ.

Vast areas of mangroves and salt marsh habitats continue to be cleared for haphazard

development activities such as salterns, shrimp farms, coconut cultivation, tourism development

and temporary settlements. It is predicted that continued hyper-salinity of the lagoon will cause

considerable changes in the fish communities of the lagoon; ultimately affecting livelihoods.

Recent amendments to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 provide for the

integration of fisheries management with environmental conservation. As required by the Act,

the Fisheries Development and Management Plan for the Puttalam lagoon has been developed to

conserve the lagoon environment and to support sustainable development of fisheries in the

lagoon.

The Fisheries Development and Management Plan for Puttalam lagoon presented here has been

developed by a multi-agency Task Force appointed by the Interim Fisheries Management

Coordinating Committee of Puttalam lagoon, under the guidance of the Department of Fisheries

and Aquatic Resources and with technical and financial support from the Regional Fisheries

Livelihoods Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which

is funded by Spain.

Nimal Hettiarachchi

Director General


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1: Fisheries in Puttalam lagoon

1.1 Description of the Fishery Management Area

Under Section 31 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, Puttalam lagoon

was declared as a Fishery Management Area by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

and published in the Gazette Extraordinary, No. 1665/17 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of

Sri Lanka, dated 04th

August 2010.

Located in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka, Puttalam lagoon extends over 32,750 ha

and is connected to three river basins - Kala Oya, Mi Oya and the very small Moongil Ara. Kala

Oya provides the largest freshwater volume and is located at the mouth of the lagoon. The

catchments of these three river basins are as follows: Kala Oya 2,772 km2, Mi Oya 1,516 km

2

and Moongil Ara 44 km2

(IUCN, 2010). The average discharges of the Kala Oya and Mi Oya

are estimated to be about 2.2 m3/second and 8.1 m

3/second respectively (Dayaratne, et al, 1997).

The lagoon opens to the sea at the northern end, while the southern end is connected to the Dutch

canal. This canal is, in turn, connected to the northern end of Mundel Lake. During the dry

season, the Dutch canal carries brackish water from the lagoon towards Mundel Lake; in the wet

season, this flow is reversed with water from Mundel Lake carried towards the lagoon. The

northern margin of the lagoon is a straight line extending from Uchchamunai on the seaside to

Gangewadiya on the landside (Figure 1).

The lagoon system is very shallow, with depths of no more than 1-2 m, except in the deep

channels within the lagoon, where depths of 4-5 m have been recorded (Dayaratne, et al, 1997).

In the north the water is of normal oceanic salinity, but is hyper-saline in the south as a result of

high evaporation.

A semi-diurnal tidal pattern occurs in the lagoon. The average tidal range is about 25 cm while

the maximum tidal range recorded is 79 cm. Although the lagoon is connected to the Indian

Ocean through the Dutch Bay at the northern end, its tidal pattern does not match the rhythm of

the open ocean. Monsoon winds play a significant role in tidal movement in this shallow lagoon

and the tidal range is highest during the northeast monsoon and lowest during the southwest

monsoon (IUCN, 2010). Surface water salinities vary between 0.00 ppt (at the Kala Oya Lagoon)

and 55.0 ppt (Arulananthan, et al, 1995).

The lagoon is located in the dry zone of the island, which receives a sharply seasonal average

annual rainfall of between 1,000-1,100 mm, derived mainly from the northeast monsoon.

Because of this, the area experiences a prolonged dry season of 4-7 months from March to

September (IUCN, 2012).

1. 2 Fish resources and productivity

The aquatic habitats of Puttalam lagoon area are occupied by marine and brackish water species

of fish and shellfish which are important resources for the people living in the area, as the main

livelihood in the area is fishing.

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Figure 1: Puttalam lagoon

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Jayasuriya (1985) identified about 50 species of finfish and shellfish from Puttalam lagoon but

considered only about 10 to be of economic importance. The Central Environment Authority

(CEA, 1994) listed 54 fish species belonging to 28 families within the lagoon. A survey carried

out in 2003 recorded 59 species belonging to 32 families inhabiting Puttalam lagoon

(ADB/IUCN). Weragodatenna (2010) reported a total of 69 species from Puttalam lagoon,

belonging to 27 families. Thus, a total of 54 to 69 species of fish belonging to 28 to 32 families

have been recorded from Puttalam lagoon.

Among them are seven species of freshwater fish that can tolerate brackish water conditions.

Hence, they are found both in freshwater habitats and brackish water habitats. The Indonesian

short fin eel (Anguilla bicolor) is a species that normally inhabits fresh water habitats but spawns

at sea. This eel is found in fresh water bodies in Kala Oya and Mi Oya and enters the lagoon

when migrating to the sea to breed. The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is

distributed widely in the wetland habitats of Puttalam lagoon area. This is a freshwater species

which was introduced to inland freshwater water bodies from southern Africa. It is listed as an

invasive species in Sri Lanka (Bambaradeniya, 2001).

The commonly harvested finfish species are the shad (Nematolosa nasus), grey mullet (Mugil

cephalus), milk fish (Chanos chanos), sardines (Sardinellla spp.) and pony fish (Leiognathus

spp.). The most commercially valued lagoon fish are the seabass (Lates calcarifer) and pearlspot

(Etroplus suratensis). In addition, Indo-Pacific tarpon (Megalops cyprinoides), bonefish (Albula

vulpes), half beaks (Hemirhamphide spp.), gar fish (Belonidae), silversides (Athrerina spp.),

catfish (Siluridae) are found in the lagoon. Shellfish include shrimps, crabs, gastropods and

bivalves species. Six species of crustaceans are commercially valuable: giant tiger prawn

(Penaeus monodon), Indian prawn (Penaeus indicus), green tiger prawn (Penaeus semisulcatus),

witch prawn (Penaeus canaliculatus), speckled shrimp (Metapenaeus monoceros) and the Kadal

shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsoni). Mangrove mud crabs (Scylla serrata) and blue swimming crabs

(Portunus pelagicus) are also recorded in catches.

In addition to finfish, several invertebrates and sea horses are also collected for the profitable

export oriented trade for ornamental and medical purposes. Sea horses caught from sea grass

meadows are either sold live for the aquarium trade or exported in dried form. The potential to

collect large quantities of milkfish (Chanos chanos) fry and fingerlings from the middle part of

the lagoon (from Kalpitiya southwards to Kalmunei) for brackish water aquaculture has also

been reported.

1.3 Fishers involved in Puttalam lagoon fisheries

For the purposes of fisheries administration, Puttalam district is divided into eight Fisheries

Inspector (FI) divisions: Vanatavillu, Puttalam, Mangalaeliya, Baththuluoya, Palakuda,

Kandakuliya, Kalpitiya mainland and Kalpitiya Island (Figure 2).

The Kalpitiya Islands FI division includes islands located north of the lagoon boundary. As

fishers from these islands move into the lagoon for fishing activities they are also included in the

plan. The total number of fishers operating in Puttalam lagoon increased from around 2,000 in

1985 (Jayasuriya, 1985) to 5,926 in 2011.

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Figure 2: Fisheries Inspector divisions around Puttalam lagoon (Source: IUCN, 2012)

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According to data obtained from the district fisheries office, Puttalam, the distribution of lagoon

fishers by FI division in 2011 is given in Table 1. Of the 5,926 fishers, 93% were fishing full

time in the lagoon, while 07% were part time fishers. During the southwest monsoon period of

May to September, some of the coastal fishers migrate to the lagoon as sea fishing is difficult

during the rough southwest monsoon season.

Table 1: Number of fishers involved in Puttalam lagoon fisheries during 2011

FI division

No of fishermen

Full time Part

time

Total

Vanatavilluwa 1,505 90 1,595

Puttalam 736 31 767

Bathuluoya 90 10 100

Palakuda 1,554 190 1,744

Kandakuliya 661 57 718

Kalpitiya land 750 23 773

Kalpitiya Island 205 24 229

Total 5,501 425 5,926

(Source: District Fisheries Office, Puttalam)

1.4 Fishing fleet

The fishing fleet operating in Puttalam lagoon consists of non-motorized traditional craft (MTRB

boats, log rafts, outrigger canoes, etc.), motorized traditional crafts (MTRB boats, log rafts,

outrigger canoes, etc., powered by outboard motor engines) and fibre reinforced plastic boats

(OFRP) powered by outboard motor engines. Dayaratne et al (1997) estimated the number of

fishing boats operating in Puttalam lagoon in 1995 after the influx of refugees from Mannar due

to the civil unrest as 1,600. The figure for 2003 was estimated as 1,776 (ADB/IUCN, 2003).

IUCN (2012) has reported a total of 2,145 boats operating in Puttalam lagoon during 2011. The

distribution of these boats by FI division is given in Table 2.

The rapid fisheries frame survey of the coastal and lagoon fisheries in Puttalam district, funded

by the RFLP and conducted by the district fisheries office in mid-2011 indicated a total of 1,898

boats engaged in Puttalam lagoon fisheries (Table 3). While some boats were engaged in year

round fishing in the lagoon, others were reported to fish in the lagoon only on a seasonal basis.

These boats fish in the coastal sea during the calm season and shift to lagoon fishing mainly

during the southwest monsoon period.

Table 2: Distribution of Puttalam lagoon fishing fleet by FI division

FI division OFRP boats MTRB boats NTRB boats Total

Vanatavilluwa 230 24 196 450

Puttalam 18 104 125 247

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FI division OFRP boats MTRB boats NTRB boats Total

Bathuluoya 00 00 40 40

Palakuda 190 00 350 540

Kandakuliya 20 00 201 221

Kalpitiya land 250 32 265 547

Kalpitiya Island 70 03 27 100

Total 778 163 1,204 2,145 (Source: District Fisheries Office, Puttalam)

Table 3 Distribution of Puttalam lagoon fishing fleet by area of operation

Boat type Lagoon only Coastal & Lagoon Total

OFRP boats 88 736 824

MTRB boats 80 10 90

NTRB boats 815 169 984

Total 983 915 1,898

Overall, approximately 51% of the fishing fleet operate full time in the lagoon while 49% of the

fleet operate on a seasonal basis. In terms of boat type, only 11% of the OFRP boats operate full

time in the lagoon, whereas over 88% of the MTRB boats and 82% of the NRTB boats operate

full time in the lagoon.

1.5 Fishing gear and methods

A variety of fishing gears and methods are used in Puttalam lagoon. Jayasuriya (1985) listed 10

main types of fishing gear and methods used in Puttalam lagoon. These included gill nets,

trammel nets, cast nets, crab traps, bottom longlines, surrounding net (wachchal dela), drag bet

(kadippu dela) and handlines.

Fishing gear presently used in the lagoon are listed in Table 4. Gill nets, trammel nets and

bottom-set gill nets are the most commonly used gears to catch both finfish and shellfish. The

predominant craft/gear combination is gill nets operated from fibre reinforced plastic (OFRP)

boats powered by OBM engines.

Table 4: Fishing gear and methods used in Puttalam lagoon

Gear Target species Fishing season

1 Trammel net

A three layered gill net.

Mesh size varies depending

on target catch (fish or

shrimp)

Shrimp (also catches non-

target species) or fish.

All year round.

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2 Trammel net (Yaka dela)

The middle panel of the net

is single ply

Mixed catch. All year round / Illegal as it

catches fry and fingerlings

3 Trammel net (monofilament)

This net is constructed using

monofilament.

Mostly shrimp. Other

smaller species and

juveniles are also caught.

All year round.

4 Gill nets

Small-meshed gill nets of

30-50 mm mesh.

Mixed species. All year

(About 600 fishers use this

gear).

5 Gill net for sardine (Sooda

dela)

37-44 mm meshed gill net

White sardine (Soodaya) This is a seasonal fishery

from Dec – April.

6 Gillnet for halfbeaks (Murali

dela)

87-100 mm mesh gill nets

Halfbeaks

(called Muralla in Sinhala,

hence the name of the net)

Only during peak monsoonal

months.

7 Gill net (Tsunami dela)

Gill net with the upper part

of large meshed netting and

the lower part of smaller

mesh netting

Pelagic and demersal fish.

8 Bottom set gill nets Demersal fish.

9 Encircling gillnets Small pelagic fish.

10 Cast nets (Visi dela)

Demersal fish and shrimp.

11 Crab traps (kakulu thatti)

Crabs. Only during the south west

monsoon, but during this

time, about 80% of the

fishers use this gear. Used

only at night.

12 Bottom set nets for crab

(75-100 mm mesh)

Crabs. All year.

13 Fyke net

(Kudu dela)

Fish and shrimp. Considered harmful as it

catches juvenile fish.

14 Bottom long lines Scads and Liza spp. Seasonal/small scale near the

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mouth of the lagoon.

15 Push nets Used in shallow waters for

aquarium fish.

Illegal but used all year

(small scale).

16 Sangili del (chain nets)

This is a trawl net.

Used in Kalpitiya area for

shrimp.

Considered a harmful fishing

method.

17 Drag net

(Kadippu dela)

Fish and shellfish. A harmful fishing method;

used throughout the year.

18 Monofilament nets (Tangus

nets )

Fish. Illegal but used all year

round.

19 Brush piles Shrimp and fish.

20 Fish kraals Shrimp and fish. Very scarce in the lagoon,

with only 4 fishers currently

practising this.

Some fishing gears and methods such as push nets and monofilament nets banned from Sri

Lankan waters are reported to be used in Puttalam lagoon, due to inadequate enforcement of

regulations and/or lack of awareness.

According to the rapid fisheries frame survey conducted in mid-2011, small-mesh and large-

mesh gill net fisheries conducted for various types of pelagic resources, trammel net fishing for

shrimp and finfish, bottom longline and bottom-set gill net fishing for demersal resources are the

main fisheries conducted by the different types of fishing boats in Puttalam lagoon. Gill net

fishing for sardines, Indian mackerel, halfbeaks, etc., are conducted close to the estuary mouth.

The number of boats engaged in each fishery on a full time and seasonal basis in Puttalam

lagoon is given in Table 5.

Table 5: Major fisheries conducted by fishing boats in Puttalam lagoon

Fishery

No. OFRP boats No. MTRB boats No. NTRB boats

Full

time Seasonal

Full

time Seasonal

Full

time Seasonal

Small-mesh gill net

fisheries 34 284 16

02 310 64

Large-mesh gill net

fisheries 07 60 -

- 20 04

Trammel net fisheries 41 341 63 08 360 75

Bottom-set gill net

fisheries 06 49 01 - 125 26

Bottom longline - 02 - - - -

TOTAL 88 736 80 10 815 169

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1.6 Fish production

Jayasuriya (1985) estimated the total fish production from Puttalam lagoon in 1982 at 1,613 MT

made up of 44% finfish and 56% shellfish (28% shrimp and 28% crabs). In more recent years,

fish production from Puttalam lagoon has increased from 4,800 MT in 1991 (Alwis and

Dayaratne, 1992) to 6,829 MT in 2009. Finfish comprised nearly 75% of the production while

the balance was made up of shellfish. Available data on Puttalam lagoon fish production in

recent years by FI division is given in Table 6.

Table 6: Fish production from Puttalam lagoon by FI division

Fisheries Inspector

division

Fish Production (MT)

2008 2009

Vanatavillu 800.0 1,225.0

Puttalam 715.0 733.0

Baththuluoya 8.5 9.0

Palakuda 1,300.0 1,442.0

Kandakuliya 696.0 736.0

Kalpitiya mainland 1,100.0 1,450.0

Kalpitiya island 900.0 1,234.0

Total 5,519.5 6,829.0 (Source: District Fisheries Office, Puttalam)

The mean annual fish production per boat estimated during the rapid fisheries frame survey for

different fisheries conducted by different boat types in Puttalam lagoon is given in Table 7.

Table 7: Mean annual fish production from Puttalam lagoon by type of boat and fishery

Fishery OFRP boats MTRB boats NTRB boats

Small-mesh gill net fisheries 8,496 2,748 3,496

Large- mesh gill net fisheries 9,540 - -

Trammel net fisheries 2,292 1,728 1,668

Bottom-set gill net fisheries 1,956 - 2,736

The estimated annual production from the Puttalam lagoon fishing fleet is given in Table 8. For

boats that fish only seasonally in the lagoon, only 50% of the total annual production has been

considered.

The total production from the Puttalam lagoon fishing fleet in 2011 was estimated at 4,790 MT.

Although reliable fish production estimates from other fisheries conducted without using fishing

crafts (cast net fishing, brush pile fishing, push nets, crab traps and fish kraals) are not available,

there has been a decline in fish production from Puttalam lagoon in recent years.

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Table 8: Estimated annual fish production from Puttalam lagoon fishing fleet in 2011

Fishery OFRP boats MTRB

boats

NTRB boats Total

Small-mesh gill net fisheries 1,495,296 46,716 1,195,632 2,737,644

Large- mesh gill net fisheries 352,980 - - 352,980

Trammel net fisheries 483,612 115,776 663,030 1,262,418

Bottom-set gill net fisheries 59,658 - 377,568 437,226

Total 2,391,546 162,492 2,236,230 4,790,268

1.7 Shrimp aquaculture

Commercial shrimp farming in the northwest coast of Sri Lanka, particularly in the Puttalam

lagoon area took off in the 1980s, with another developmental spurt in the 1990s. By 2006, there

were about 1,434 shrimp farms, with a total area of 4,539 ha, with more than 90% located around

the Puttalam lagoon (IUCN, 2012). By 2009, Weragodatenna (2010) reported that out of a total

extent of 1,817 ha under shrimp farms, 1,167 ha (64%) were unproductive, abandoned farms,

The majority of the existing the shrimp farms in Puttalam Lagoon area are small-scale, 60% of

which are less than 0.8 ha.

The shrimp that is cultured is Penaeus monodon, which are reared in earthen ponds. Shrimp

farming in Sri Lanka has been affected by repeated disease outbreaks, uncontrolled expansion

exceeding carrying capacity and deterioration of water quality (Siriwardene, 2001).

2. Status of the fishery

2.1 Assessments of relevant fish stocks

The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for Puttalam lagoon fishery has been estimated at 5,536

MT while the maximum economic yield (MEY) has been calculated as 4,945 MT with a value

equivalent to LKR 133 million (Dayaratne, et al, 1995).

The estimated fish production from Puttalam lagoon during 2009 and 2010 was 1.2 times and 1.5

times the MSY, respectively. However, the estimated 2011 production indicates a decline in

production and a shift towards the MSY.

2.2 Assessment of socio-economic status of fishery participants

IUCN (2012) reported that fishing was the sole income source of 67.4%, the main income of

21.4% and the secondary income of 9.5% of lagoon fishers. There was no data/information

available on the level of earnings of lagoon fishers. However, Table 9 below, extracted from

IUCN (2012) provides a guide to the poverty of people living around Puttalam lagoon. Since

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fishing is a major economic activity of the people living around the lagoon, these poverty

indicators are indicative of the economic status of lagoon fishers and their households.

The official poverty line for the Puttalam district in August 2011 was Rs. 3,267 (minimum

expenditure per person per month to fulfil basic needs). The Poverty Head Count Index is the

proportion of poor population to the total population as a percentage. On an average, five family

members share a household and this translates to about 32% of the people around Puttalam

lagoon living below the poverty line. Samurdhi is the main poverty alleviation programme of the

Government in Sri Lanka and close to 24% of the families living around Puttalam lagoon receive

assistance under the Samurdhi programme.

Table 9: Poverty indicators for Puttalam lagoon area

Divisional Secretariat

Division

No. of

families

Head Count

Index

Household

population below

poverty line

No. of Samurdhi

recipient

families

Kalpitiya 13,201 45.34 36,197 5,524

Puttalam 17,965 25.08 16,864 4,398

Vanatavilluwa 4,772 40.31 6,373 2,074

Mundel 15, 397 41.08 22,503 7,510

Total 51,335 81,937 19,506

3 Ecological and environmental status of the lagoon

3.1 Ecological importance of Puttalam lagoon

Mangroves are associated with other habitat types such as sea grasses, salt marshes and sea shore

vegetation. These habitats are extremely productive and contribute to the sustenance of lagoon

and near-shore fisheries, functioning as nurseries and habitats for many commercially important

species of fish and crustaceans. They form a complex ecosystem, contributing to the increased

biodiversity associated with the lagoon.

3.1.1 Mangrove

Mangrove is the most extensively distributed habitat in the Puttalam lagoon area. In the early

1980s the mangroves of the Puttalam lagoon were estimated to cover nearly 1,200 ha of inter-

tidal land (Kanakaratne et al, 1983). The largest mangrove tracts in Sri Lanka are recorded from

this area. The most extensive and undisturbed tracts of mangroves are found in the Kala Oya

area. Undisturbed patches of mangroves are also found in Kuringipitti, Pubudugama,

Gangewadiya, Thirikkapallama, Ethale and most of islands such as Ippantivu, Sinna Arichchalai,

Periya Arichchalai and Irrimathivu.

The economic value of the fish breeding function of the mangrove forest in Sri Lanka was

estimated at US$ 218 per hectare per year, while the total economic value was estimated at US

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$1,229 per hectare per year (Batagoda, 2003). On this basis the fishery value of 1,392.7 ha of

Puttalam mangrove was estimated at US$ 303,609 per annum, while the total economic value of

mangrove would be USD 17,116,283 per annum.

3.1.2 Sea grass beds

Sea grass meadows are widely distributed in the shallow areas of Puttalam lagoon and constitute

approximately 24% of total lagoon area. Eight species of sea grasses have been identified in the

from Puttalam lagoon. The dominant species are Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule uninervis,

Enhalus acoroides, and Halophila spp, (Jayasuriya, 1991). The sea grass meadows in Mannar

bay, Portugal bay and Dutch bay have been reported to provide habitats for dugong (Dugong

dugon).

3.1.3 Seaweeds

The seaweeds or kelps occurring in Puttalam lagoon have been commercially exploited for

centuries. Four species of red algae - Gracilaria edulis, Laurencia spp., Geldim spp. and Hypnea

musciformis – have been recorded from the area. Two species of green algae (Ulva spp. and

Enteromorpha spp.) and two species of brown algae (Sargassum spp. and Padina spp.) have also

been recorded.

Gracilaria edulis is the most abundant seaweed species in Puttalam lagoon. Major beds of

Gracilaria edulis are found near Kalpitiya, Serakkuli, Ettalai and Anjithivu islands. Sea weeds

are harvested during the southwest monsoon months of May to October. Since the early 19th

century, fishers have collected seaweed and an estimated 50-60 tons of dried seaweed had been

exported annually from the Puttalam lagoon (Durairatnam and Medcof, 1954). Gracilaria edulis

collected from Puttalam Lagoon is dried and sold to traders in Colombo. Harvesting of seaweeds

is sporadic and takes place at a subsistence level. However, it provides a supplementary income

to the fishing community.

It is also popular locally, particularly during the Islamic annual fasting period, when it is made

into a nutritious porridge.

3.1.4 Salt marshes

Salt marshes dominated by inter-tidal low growing herbs and shrubs are located along the

landward margins of mangrove. The extent of salt marshes in the area has been estimated at

1,515 ha, based on aerial photographs (Kanakaratne et al, 1983).

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3.2 Environmental issues

Habitat destruction is by far the biggest threat affecting the Puttalam lagoon and its environ.

Vast areas of mangroves and salt marsh habitats continue to be cleared for haphazard

development activities such as salterns, shrimp farms, coconut cultivation, tourism development

and temporary settlements. Although the rapid expansion of shrimp farms has now decreased,

the expansion of salterns has increased. Heavy clearance of mangroves for salterns has been

observed in Anakutti, Kalliyadi, Seguvanthivu and Serrakkuli.

One consequence of this clearance, already evident, is a great reduction in the amount of

freshwater discharged to the lagoon. In Mi Oya, the discharge has nearly halved from 25 m³/sec

in 1962 to 14 m³/sec in 1997 (IUCN, 2012).

The average annual salinity level of the Puttalam lagoon has increased by 25 % (from 36.4 ppt to

46 ppt) within the last thirty years (Arulananthan, 1992). The southern part of Puttalam lagoon is

hyper-saline and it is predicted that this hyper-salinity will spread; causing considerable changes

in the fish communities of the lagoon; ultimately affecting livelihoods. One of the reasons for

this is the reduction of inflow of freshwater as a consequence of mangrove destruction.

3.2.1 Destruction of mangrove and sea grass beds

Most mangrove plants of the area are used as firewood. About 55% of the households around

the lagoon are reported to use mangrove plants as firewood (Dayaratne et al, 1995). Cynometra

iripa and Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea are the species most threatened. Since the mid-1980s, the

consumption of fuel wood has increased with internal migration of refugees to the area.

Sonneratia alba and Thespesia populnea are used as fodder for goats in the western part of the

lagoon. In a few islands, the mangrove bark of Rhizophora mucronata and a few other species is

collected for tannin extraction, to be used for preservation and colouring of nets and other fishing

equipment. The twigs and branches of Avicennia marina are used for brush pile construction in

few areas in the lagoon.

In the last few decades, mangroves have been affected severely as a consequence of the rapid

expansion of the shrimp farm industry. Their distribution has been reduced by over 60%, from

1,181.5 ha in 1981 to 431.57 ha in 1992 (IUCN, 2012). Currently, the threat is from the

expansion of salterns. shrimp farms and salterns have affected mangroves in Seguvanthivu,

Thirikkapallama, Palavi, Mampuriya and Anawasala.

Citing data from the Census and Statistics Division, Puttalam, IUCN (1012) reported that out of

a total of 2,310 ha of mangrove in Puttalam, Vanathavilluva and Kalpitiya Divisional Secretariat

divisions in 1981, only 1,692 ha remained in 2009, indicating a loss of 618 ha of mangrove

(28%) between 1981 and 2009.

In addition, the discharge of effluents containing nutrients, organic sediments, antibiotics and

hormones has polluted the water in the area. It has been noted that that Avicennia marina in the

Kuringipitti area and some areas of the Kalpitiya peninsula are extremely stunted.

18

Mangroves are also threatened due to clearing for expansion of tourism industry in Kalpitiya

peninsula and most of the islands. Mangroves are also subjected to the heavy grazing by cattle

and goats, especially during the dry season.

3.2.4 Destruction of salt marshes

Expansion of salterns and shrimp farms, as well as encroachment for human settlement is a

serious threat to the salt marsh habitat. In particular, salt marshes of the Mi Oya area have been

subjected to destruction as a result of shrimp farm expansion. Nearly 50% of the estimated

1,515, ha of salt marshes is reported to have been destroyed between 1981 and 1992 (Dayaratne

et al, 1995).

4. Co-management and legal provisions

4.1 Co-management

Co-management is a process that brings together relevant levels of government and the users in

pursuing a common set of goals to improve resources conditions and socio-economic conditions

of the community. Co-management in fisheries allows fishers to fully participate in a shared

decision making process with fisheries agencies for the sustainable management of fisheries

resources. It focuses on establishing and empowering local level institutions with minor support

from the government throughout the establishment and empowering process. In addition to

focusing on establishing and empowering local level institutions, it involves the process of

establishing partnership arrangements between government and the local community and resource

users.

Co-management allows the community to develop a management strategy with a high probability

of meeting local needs and conditions and is more legitimate in their eyes because the community

members understand their problems, needs and opportunities better than outsiders do.

In integrating environment conservation into fisheries management, there is a need to bring in

other stakeholder agencies mandated with natural resources management and environment

conservation into the co-management process and partnerships.

4.2 Existing legislation affecting Puttalam lagoon fisheries

A summary of information on the institutions legally responsible for managing the fishery, legal

obligations that needs to be met, institutional arrangements and regulations and fisheries laws

affecting the fishery in Puttalam lagoon is presented below.

Under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, including all the amendments

made subsequently, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has the overall mandate

for the management, regulation, conservation and development of fisheries and aquatic resources

in Sri Lanka. The following regulations, made under the provisions of the Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 provide for registration of fishing boats and fishers, licensing of

19

fishing operations and establishment of Fisheries Committees and other institutional

arrangements for collaborative management of fisheries.

The Registration of Fishing Boats Regulations of 1980 promulgated under the

Fisheries Ordinance and amended in 1997 and 2006 under the Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources Act No. 2 of 1996 requires that every person operating or using a fishing boat

in Sri Lankan waters should obtain a certificate of registration in respect of his/her boat

from the Director General, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources or an

authorized officer.

The Fishing Operations Regulations, 1996 published in the Government Gazette

Extraordinary No. 948/25 dated 07th

November 1996 and amended in April 2005 require

that every person conducting fishing operations in the sea, estuaries or coastal lagoons of

Sri Lanka obtains a Fishing Operations License from the Director General, Department of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources or an authorized officer.

The Fisheries Committee Regulations, 1997 published in the Government Gazette

Extraordinary of 25th

April 1997 provided for the establishment of Fisheries Committees

in a fisheries management area. The following 12 Fisheries Committees have been

established for Puttalam lagoon and published in the Government Gazette Extraordinary

No. 1772/29 dated 22nd

August 2013.

Name of the Fisheries Committee Registration No.

No. 1 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.01












The Fisheries (Register) Regulations, 1997 published in the Government Gazette

Extraordinary of 25th

April 1997 require that every fisher (resident or migrant), conducting

fishing operations in a fisheries management area shall get him/herself included in the

Register of Fishers maintained and regularly updated by the fisheries officials of the area.

4.3 Legal and institutional provisions for co-management in Negombo lagoon fisheries

The existing legal and institutional arrangements related to fisheries are not adequate to support

ecosystem based fisheries co-management. The Fisheries Committees lack legal powers and

20

other stakeholders are also excluded from the management process. To overcome these

limitations, the Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme has assisted in amending the

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 to bring in more stakeholders and women

participation into the co-management process.

The Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee of Puttalam lagoon has been

established under Section 31A (1) of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment)

Act, No.… of 2013, published in the Government Gazette of --------. The Fisheries

Management Coordinating Committee of Puttalam lagoon consists of ex-officio members

and/or nominees of the following stakeholder agencies.

1 Assistant Director District Fisheries Office, Puttalam

2 District Fisheries Office, Puttalam

3 District Fisheries Office, Puttalam

4 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 1












16 District Secretary Puttalam

17 Divisional Secretary Vanathavilluwa

18 Divisional Secretary Puttalam

19 Divisional Secretary Kalpitiya

20 Divisional Secretary Mundalama

21 Chairman Pradeshiya Sabha, Kalpitiya

22 Chairman Pradeshiya Sabha, Vanathavilluwa

23 Chairman Pradeshiya Sabha, Puttalam

24 Mayor Puttalam Municipal Council

25 Director of Fisheries Northwest Provincial Council

26 Nominated member Coast Conservation & Coastal Resources Management

Department

27 Nominated member National Aquatic Resources Research and Development

Agency

28 Nominated member National Aquaculture Development Authority

29 Nominated member Central Environment Authority

30 Nominated member Department of Wildlife Conservation

31 Nominated member Forest Department

32 Nominated member Marine Environment Protection Authority

21

33 Nominated member Northwest Province Environ. Authority

34 Nominated member Ministry of Lands

34 Nominated member Tourism Development Authority

36 Nominated member Sri Lanka Police

37 Nominated member Sri Lanka Navy

Under Section 31A (6) of the revised Fisheries Act, the Director General, Department of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources may appoint other persons, including representatives of

Divisional Coordinating Committees, representatives of associations representing other

commercial activities conducted within limits of the management area, representatives of the

fisher women’s’ groups and, representatives of non –governmental organizations involved in

natural resources management and the welfare of fishers, within the limits of the management

area, to be members of the Coordinating Committee. The following persons have been appointed

by the Director General, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as members of the

Puttalam lagoon Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee:

1. Representative from Shrimp farmers association (to be identified)

2. Representative from Salt producers association (to be identified)

3. Representative from Small Fisher Federation (to be identified)

4. Representative from Wayamba University (to be identified)

5. NGO/CBO (to be identified)

6. Women CBO (to be identified)

Section 31B (1) of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Act, No… of 2013

requires a Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee constituted for a Fishery

Management Area to submit to the Director General, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources a fishery development and management plan for the area.

According to Section 31B (2) of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Act,

No… of 2013, a Fishery Development and Management Plan prepared by a Fisheries

Management Coordinating Committee may contain proposals for the:

- division of the Fishery Management Area into zones for particular uses;

- prohibition or regulation of the use of particular types of fishing gear or equipment for

the taking of fish and aquatic resources in the FMA;

- prohibition or regulation of the use of particular methods for taking of fish or aquatic

resources in the FMA;

- prohibition of the taking of particular species of fish or aquatic resources in the FMA;

- declaration of closed seasons for fishing in particular parts of the Fishery Management

Area or for particular species of fish in the Fishery Management Area;

- regulating the times at which fish or aquatic resources may be taken in the Fishery

Management Area;

- preservation of locations of scenic beauty or of cultural or ecological significance in the

Fishery Management Area;

- improvement of the sustainability of fish and other aquatic resources in the Fishery

Management Area;

22

- research, post-harvest and marketing and development aspects related to the fishery;

- monitoring, compliance and surveillance and, consultation and review.

Under Section 31B (3) of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Act, No…

of 2013, the Director General, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is required

to make modifications if any, to the plan and submit the plan to the Minister for his or her

approval, within sixty days of a management plan being submitted to it by a Fisheries

Management Coordinating Committee.

Under Section 31B (4), the Minister may approve a plan within sixty days of it being

submitted to him or her and shall cause the plan to be published in the Gazette.

Under Section 31B (5), it shall be the duty of the Minister to give effect to the provisions

of the plan by making appropriate regulations under Section 61 and by the publication of

appropriate Notices under Section 34.

5. Management issues

Analysis of management issues in Puttalam lagoon in terms of social, biological and

environmental problems associated with the fishers and the fishery, causes for such problems and

possible solutions were discussed during meetings with representatives of the Fisheries

Committees as well as during consultations with all key stakeholders. These are summarized in

Table 10.

Table 10: Analysis of management issues and proposed solutions for Negombo lagoon

fisheries

Problem Cause/s Solution/s

Biological issues

Depletion of fishery

resources

- High fishing intensity

- Fishing beyond sustainable

limits

- Limit the number of fishers and

control access to who can fish in the

lagoon

- Use of small-meshed nets and

increased numbers of nets

- Conduct investigations and

determine minimum mesh size of

nets used for catching shrimp

- Continued use of

banned/illegal fishing gear due

to lack of enforcement

- Lack of awareness among

enforcement agencies

- Strict enforcement of regulations

banning illegal and harmful gear

- Awareness creation for security

agencies involved in enforcement

- Excessive trawling at the - Introduce collaborative

23

lagoon mouth reduces the

quantity of shrimp and fish

entering the lagoon

management of fisheries

Socio-economic

issues

Decreasing income

from fishing

- Fishing by outsiders (non-

members) particularly during

the peak season

- Ensure livelihoods of fishers

through a strictly enforced licensing

scheme

- Control access to who can fish in

the lagoon

- Theft of fish and fishing gear

as fishing is conducted for the

whole day

- Theft of fish from nets at

night

- Strengthen monitoring, control and

surveillance capability of concerned

authorities

Restrictions on

fishing activities

- Restriction of fishing areas

due to tourism development

activities

- Restriction of fishing areas

due to security zones

- Establish institutional mechanism

enabling coordination between

agencies to minimise economic

damage to lagoon fishers

- Establish planned water use

zonation

Fishing gear

- Shortage of fishing gear

- Facilitate easy access to fishing

gear

Marketing of fish

- No organized transport

facility

- No market for the catch

- Do not get fair price for fish

- No proper marketing facility

- Unscrupulous fish vendors

- Large landings by banned

gear (Laila del and Surukku

dela) depress prices and

impact on earnings of lagoon

fishers

- Provision of better marketing

facilities

- Strict enforcement of regulations

against banned gear

Infrastructure

- Traditional landing centres

lost due to illegal construction

Conflicts - Conflicts between resident

fishers, IDPs and migrant

fishers

- Conflicts between fishers in

- Engage the appropriate authorities

24

Kurrakkanhena,

Kuringnampitiya and

Mandalakudawa due to use of

Kudu dela

in policing and monitoring, control

and surveillance

Environmental

issues

Destruction and

pollution of the

lagoon ecosystem

adversely impacting

on fish resources

- Illegal encroachment into the

lagoon

- Establish lagoon boundaries to

minimize illegal encroachment

- Destruction of mangroves for

aquaculture and other

development activities

- Prepare and implement a mangrove

management plan for the lagoon

with community participation

- Pollution of lagoon water due

to sewage disposal

- Establish institutional mechanism

enabling coordination between

agencies to minimise damage to

lagoon environment

Governance issues

Lack of data &

information

for management

decisions

- Lack of catch and effort data

of the lagoon fishery

- Introduce a collaborative fisheries

data collection system for the

lagoon, which involves both

government and fishers in data

collection

- Lack of

research/investigations on

fishery resources and lagoon

ecosystem

- Carry out research on major fish

and crustacean varieties (biology,

population studies, etc.) and share

results /information with concerned

institutions

- Carry out periodic

research/investigations on the status

of the ecosystem/environment

- Establish close integration

(horizontal and vertical) between

DFAR, NARA, NAQDA, etc

Inadequate

compliance - Wilful violation of rules and

regulations

- promote compliance through

workshops, meetings, etc. with

fishing community

- Fishers and other stakeholders to

be organized to comply with a

voluntary code of conduct.

25

- Inadequate enforcement by

concerned authorities

- Strengthen enforcement capability

- Lack of knowledge and

awareness

- Conduct awareness programmes

for fishers and other stakeholders

6. Objectives and Performance indicators

The objectives of the plan listed below are what the stakeholders want to achieve by having the

fishery managed. These are listed in Table 11 under biological, social, economic and

environmental. In view of the multi-species nature of the resource and in the absence of

data/information on stock structure of major species, a precautionary approach has been adopted

and the biological objectives have been kept relatively simple.

Performance Indicators relying on data that are simple and easily obtainable have been selected

against each of the objectives.

The trigger points or reference points listed against each objective and indicator provide the

criteria that define the stage at which action needs to be taken when changes occur in the fishery.

For example, if the catches, income, size of fish caught, etc., fall below the agreed trigger point,

possible management options that can be considered by the Fisheries Management Coordination

Committee include reduction of fishing effort (number of boats, fishers, fishing gear units),

increasing mesh sizes, etc.

Table 11: Objectives and performance indicators

Objectives of the Plan Performance Indicator Trigger point

Biological –

Maintain catch levels at +/-

10% of present level

- Annual production

- Size of selected major

species harvested

- Proportion of juveniles or

under-sized fish of selected

species in catches

- Total catch falling by more

than 10% over the previous

year

- Size of selected major

species harvested decreased

by an agreed proportion

- Proportion of juveniles or

under-sized fish of selected

species in catches increased

by an agreed proportion

26

Objectives of the Plan Performance Indicator Trigger point

Social – economic

Maintain income levels

within 10% of present level

Reduction of indebtedness

of fishers

- Average annual income of

fishers

- No. of fishers in debt

- Income from fishing fallen

by more than 10% over the

previous year

- No. of fishers in debt has

increased by more than 10%

over the previous year

Environmental –

Protection of lagoon

ecosystem

- Current extent of lagoon

- Current extent of mangrove

- Level of pollution

- Extent of lagoon area and

mangroves decreased by more

than 10% over the previous

year

- Level of pollution increased

by an more than 10% over the

previous year

Governance –

Increased participation of

fishers in management

- No. of fishers in committees

- Attendance at meetings

- Attendance at management

meetings decreased by an

agreed proportion

7: Control mechanisms (Management measures)

7.1 Access arrangements – All full-time and part-time fishers fishing in the lagoon need to

obtain a Fishing Operations License. As only members of Fisheries Committees are issued with

Fishing Operations Licenses, all lagoon fishers need to become members of one of the twelve

Fisheries Committees established for Puttalam lagoon.

The Fishing Operations Licenses issued under the provisions of the Fishing Operations

Regulations of 1996, published in the Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 948/25 of 07th

November 1996 shall not be valid within the Puttalam lagoon fishery management area unless

these licenses are endorsed by the District Fisheries Office, Puttalam with the condition “Valid

for Puttalam Lagoon Fishery Management Area”.

Fishing operations licenses will be issued in a transparent manner. The Executive Committees of

the Fisheries Committees in consultation with the area Fisheries Inspector and the Assistant

Director of the District Fisheries Office shall decide the eligibility of an applicant to receive a

27

Fishing Operations License. Endorsement by a majority of the general membership of a Fisheries

Committee is required before a License can be issued.

All Fisheries Committees will cooperate with the relevant fisheries officials to prepare and

annually update a Register of Fishers in compliance with the Fisheries (Register) Regulations,

1997.

All fishing crafts operating in the lagoon will be registered by the District Fisheries office,

Puttalam and issued with registration certificates.

7.2 Input controls –

The use of push net in Sri Lankan waters has been banned under the Fishing Operations

Regulation, 1996 (Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 948/25 dated 07th

Nov. 1996) while

the use of monofilament nets has been banned under the Monofilament Nets Prohibition

Regulations, 2006 (Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 1454/33 dated 21st July 2006).

In addition to push nets and monofilament nets, the use of following fishing gear and methods

are considered harmful to the sustainability of the resources and the environment, based on a

study conducted by Jayakody (2013).

Yaka dela - This is a trammel net with the middle panel made out of single ply nylon

material.

Trammel nets made out of monofilament netting material.

Drag net (Kadippu dela).

Estuarine trawl net with a chain (Sangili dela).

In addition, it is recommended that the middle panel of the normal trammel net or the disco net

should be constructed using 2 ply or higher gauge net material of which the mesh size (stretched

mesh size) should be set at least 38 mm.

Fyke net (Kudu dela) – Although a passive gear, it is reported to trap large numbers of

juveniles of both shrimp and fish species. This fishery needs a comprehensive socio-

economic study as very poor fishers are involved. Increasing the mesh size to over 10

mm as a temporary measure may reduce catching of juvenile fish and crustaceans.

Provision of temporary license to fyke net fishers to limit further expansion would be an

interim measure until a comprehensive socio-economic study is conducted to formulate

appropriate management strategies. In addition, further research on this fishing gear is

recommended to find ways to make this a more “responsible” fishing gear type.

7.3 Code of conduct –

Some of the input controls agreed by stakeholders that cannot be easily incorporated in the

legislation need to be included in a voluntary “Code of conduct for Puttalam lagoon fishery”, to

28

be agreed upon by the Fisheries Committees and other groups and associations representing

fishers and other stakeholders; pledging voluntary compliance by fishers to do the right thing

with no sanctions except social and moral obligations. These include the following:

-

-

-

8: Monitoring of the Fishery (data collection and analysis)

District Fisheries Office, Puttalam will register all fishers and craft and issue Fishing

Operations Licenses to all members of Fisheries Committees during the month of

December for the following calendar year.

Fish catch data collection: Current data collection system adopted by the Department of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources does not allow adequate data collection from lagoons

and estuaries. The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency

NARA and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall jointly develop a

fisheries data collection system specifically for the lagoon, including new data collection

forms giving priority to lagoon fishing gear and species. The data collection system will

also mobilize Fisheries Committees and fishers to be actively involved in fisheries data

collection. Data analysis and reporting shall also be a joint responsibility of the National

Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency and the Department of Fisheries

and Aquatic Resources.

Periodic (once every three years) monitoring shall be conducted by the National Aquatic

Resources Research and Development Agency to assess the adverse

environmental/ecological impacts on the lagoon ecosystem from fishing as well as the

impact of other anthropological activities and natural phenomenon on Puttalam lagoon

fisheries and fisher livelihoods.

9: Compliance (surveillance and enforcement)

A Sub-committee comprising the Assistant Director of the Puttalam district fisheries

office, the Fisheries Inspectors working in the lagoon and members representing the

Fisheries Committees will coordinate and take decisions regarding enforcement of

regulations.

Funds and facilities (boats, engines, capacity building, trainings, etc.) are needed to

operate and maintain a successful enforcement mechanism. There is a need to establish a

fund to meet expenses involved during surveillance and enforcement activities. Funds

could be requested from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, North

Western Provincial Council, Puttalam District Development Council and the Divisional

Secretariats. At a later stage, Fisheries Committees also need to contribute to such a fund.

29

The Sri Lanka Police and the Sri Lanka Navy are represented in the Fisheries

Management Coordinating Committee of Puttalam lagoon and they are expected to assist

the district fisheries office and the Fisheries Committees in enforcing the management

regulations in the Plan.

10. Research and investigations

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), through its

regional research centre in Kalpitiya and the district office of the National Aquaculture

Development Authority (NAQDA) are expected to play lead roles in conducting and

coordinating all fisheries and aquaculture related research, monitoring of the lagoon

environment, etc., in Puttalam lagoon. A comprehensive research plan needs to be prepared and

implemented in order to provide a sound scientific basis for resources and environment

management of the lagoon. The following research needs have been identified by NARA and the

fishing community as high priority.

Fishery related:

Stock assessment of fish, shellfish and bivalve resources and estimation of annual

potential yields.

Evaluation of status of Beche de Mer (sea cucumber) fishery and research on

replenishment of wild sandfish (Holothuria scabra) population in Puttalam lagoon.

Socio-economic studies on Puttalam lagoon fisher community.

Environment/ecosystem related:

Mapping of sea grass beds in Puttalam lagoon.

Promotion of seaweed culture through pilot activities including market surveys.

Investigations into impacts of shrimp farming on the hydrobiology of the lagoon.

11: Fisheries development

11.1 Infrastructure facilities

Improvements to the following fish landing centres have been identified as a priority need:

1. Puttalam;

2. Kurakkanhena;

3. Anawasala;

4. Wannimundalama;

5. Soththupitiya;

6. Anakuttiya;

7. Serakkuliya;

30

8. Gangewadiya;

9. Kuringnanpitiya; and,

10. Pubudugama.

11.2 Community welfare facilities

11.3 Lagoon and ecosystem rehabilitation

Establishment of lagoon boundaries.

Conservation of mangroves through a mangrove management plan.

12: Consultation and extension with stakeholders

For the purposes of adequate consultation and extension at all levels, regular meetings shall be

held by the designated stakeholder groups:

• The Fisheries Committees shall meet once every month, attended by the area Fisheries

Inspector. Minutes of such meetings shall be kept by the Fisheries Committees, with

copies at the district fisheries office.

• The Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee of Puttalam lagoon shall meet once

in every three months. The Assistant Director, District Fisheries Office, Puttalam will act

as the Convener and the Secretary to the Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee.

• The District Development Council, attended by the District Secretary, Puttalam and

representatives of the Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee of Puttalam lagoon

will provide a forum for regular sensitizing of political leaders and senior government

officials of the area.

13. Plan monitoring and review

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) is the lead agency responsible for

the implementation of the Fisheries development and Management Plan of Puttalam lagoon.

Performance indicators

Performance indicators are given in Table 11.

Monitoring and review of the Fishery Development and Management Plan

The last meeting of the Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee in any year shall be

considered as the annual general meeting of the said Committee and a review of the success

31

and/or failure of management measures in meeting the objectives of the Puttalam lagoon Fishery

Development and Management Plan should be undertaken to decide what further actions need to

be taken.

As the plan has been prepared based on limited data and information, the first review

shall be made after two years. Thereafter, the plan shall be reviewed once every four

years, based on the best available information from monitoring of the fishery and

research carried out by concerned agencies.

The district fisheries office, assisted by the Fisheries Management Coordinating

Committee and its stakeholders shall be responsible for the review of the plan.

Monitoring protocols

Monitoring protocols established in the Action Plan are given in Table 12:

Action plan

Management goal - Sustainable utilization of lagoon fish resources

Management measure - Maintain current production

Tasks and responsible agencies for following up on the action plan for sustainable utilization of

fish resources in Puttalam lagoon is given in Table 12.

Table 12: Action Plan for sustainable utilization of fish resources in Puttalam lagoon

Tasks Responsible for

implementation

Completion

date

Responsible for

checking

1 Conduct periodic

assessment of fish

potential/productivity of

Puttalam lagoon

NARA

1st assessment

by end of 2014

DG / NARA

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

2 Implement regular fish

catch monitoring

programme

NARA

District Fisheries Office /

Puttalam

Fisheries Committees

Continuous

from 2014

onwards

DG / NARA

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

3

Enforce regulations District Fisheries Offices

/ Puttalam


Police /Navy

Continuous

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

4

Strengthen and support

fisheries

co-management

initiatives

MFARD / DFAR

Continuous

DG/DFAR

5 Evaluate the status of NARA By 2014 DG / NARA

32


implementation

Completion

date

Responsible for

checking

Beche de Mer (sea

cucumber) fishery and

conduct research on

replenishment of wild

sandfish (Holothuria

scabra) population in

Puttalam lagoon

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

* DD (Mgmt) - Deputy Director (Management division); DG - Director General, MFARD-

Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, DFAR- Department of Fisheries

and Aquatic Resources, NARA- National Aquatic Resources Reserach and Developemnt

Agency

Management goal - Maximize income of fishers engaged in Puttalam lagoon fishing

Management measure - Control fishing effort by restricting access to fishery

Table lists the tasks and responsible agencies for follow-up on the action plans for maximizing

income of Negombo lagoon fishers

Table 13: Action plan for maximizing income of fishers engaged in Puttalam lagoon fishing


implementation

Completion date Responsible for

checking

1 Issue of Fishing Operations

Licenses only to members

of Fisheries Committees

District Fisheries

Offices / Puttalam


Issue/renewal in

December every

year

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

2 Preparation of Register of

Fishers

District Fisheries

Offices / Puttalam

Update every

December

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

3 Registration of all lagoon

fishing craft

District Fisheries

Offices / Puttalam

Issue/renewal in

December every

year

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

4 Strengthen monitoring,

control and surveillance

mechanism

DFAR


Continuous

5 Conduct socio-economic

studies on Puttalam lagoon

fisher community

NARA DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

6 Promote seaweed culture

through pilot activities

including market surveys

NARA DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

33

7 Introduce alternative

livelihoods

Continuous

District Secretary

/Puttalam

Divisional Secretaries * DD (Mgmt) - Deputy Director (Management division); DG - Director General, DFAR-

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, NARA- National Aquatic Resources Reserach

and Developemnt Agency

Management goal – Conservation of lagoon environment and biodiversity

Management measure - Control adverse environmental impacts

The tasks and responsible agencies for following up on the action plans for conserving Puttalam

lagoon environment and biodiversity are presented in Table 14.

Table 14: Action plan for conserving environment and biodiversity in Puttalam lagoon


implementation

Completion

date

Responsible for

checking

1 Implementation of a

participatory mangrove

management plan

FD / FMCC Continuous

from 2013

onwards

DG/ Forest Dept.

District

Secretary/Puttalam

Mapping of sea grass

beds in Puttalam lagoon

NARA By 2014 DG / NARA

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

2 Enforcement of

regulations banning

harmful fishing methods

District Fisheries

Offices / Puttalam

Police/Navy

Continuous

DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

3 Establish lagoon

boundaries to minimize

illegal encroachment

FMCC End Dec. 2014 District Secretary

/Puttalam

4 Minimize pollution of

lagoon water due to

industrial pollutants

MEPA

NWP Env. Authority

Continuous District Secretary

/Puttalam


lagoon water due to

sewage disposal

Pradeshiya Sabha

Municipal Council


/Puttalam


lagoon water due to solid

waste disposal

Pradeshiya Sabha

Municipal Council


/Puttalam

Divisional Secretaries

7 Investigations into

impacts of shrimp

farming on the

hydrobiology of the

lagoon

NAQDA / NARA

District Secretary

/Puttalam

DG/NARA

DG/NAQDA

8 Coordinate all

aquaculture activities in

NAQDA / NARA Continuous District Secretary

/Puttalam

34


implementation

Completion

date

Responsible for

checking

the lagoon NWP Env. Authority Divisional Secretaries

9 Coordinate expansion of

salterns to minimise

adverse impacts on

lagoon ecosystem

CEA

NWP Env. Authority

Divisional

Secretaries


/Puttalam

10 Monitoring of lagoon

ecosystem

NARA/ MEPA

CC & CRMD


/Puttalam

Divisional Secretaries

CC & CRMD- Coast Conservation & Coastal Resources management Dept., FD-Forest

Department, FMCC - Fisheries Management Coordinating Committee, * DD (Mgmt) - Deputy

Director (Management division); DG - Director General, MEPA-Marine Environment

Protection Authority, NWP Env. Authority- North-Westaren Province Environment Authority,

NARA – National Aquatic Resources Reserach and Developemnt Agency, NAQDA- National

Aquaculture Development Authority

References:

Alwis, M. M. and P. Dayaratne, 1992 – Present status of the fishery for finfish and shellfish

resources of the Puttalam estuary in the North-western Province of Sri Lanka. Paper presented at

the 3rd

Asian Fisheries Forum, Singapore.

Arulananthan, K. 1992 – Some studies on tidal water volume exchange in the Puttalam Estuarine

system. Paper presented at NARA/SAREC/NARESA workshop on coastal ecosystem study

programme.

Arulananthan, K., L. Rydberg, U. Cederlof and E. M. S. Wijeratne, 1995 – Water exchange in a

hypersalinetropical estuary, the Puttalam lagoon, Sri Lanka. Ambio, Vol. 25, No. 7-8, pp 438-

443.

Batagoda, B. M. S (2003). Economic valuation of alternative uses of Mangrove forests in Sri

Lanka – Research Paper –EECS.

Dayaratne, P., A. B. A. K. Gunaratne and M. M. Alwis, 1995 - Fish resources and fisheries in a

tropical lagoon system in Sri Lanka. AMBIO, Vol. 24, 402-410.

Dayaratne, P., O. Linden, and M.W. R. N. De Silva (Eds), 1997 – The Puttalam and Mundel

Lake, Sri Lanka: A study of coastal resources, their utilization, environmental issues and

management options. Ambio, 24 (7-8), 391-401

Dayaratne, P., O. Linden, and M.W. R. N. De Silva (Eds), 1997 – The Puttalam/Mundel

Estuarine System and Associated Coastal Waters. A report on environment degradation, resource

management issues and options for their solution. Colombo: NARA and NARESA, 98 pp.

35

Durairatnam, M. and J. C. Medcof, 1954 – Ceylon’s Red Seaweed resources. The Ceylon Trade

Journal, 19.

IUCN, 2010 - An ecological assessment of the Puttalam lagoon area. IUCN, Sri Lanka Country

Office, Colombo, 45 pp, unpublished.

IUCN, 2012 – An Environmental and Fisheries Profile of the Puttalam lagoon System. Regional

Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia (GCP/RAS/237/SPA) Field

Project Document 2011/LKA/CM/06, xvii + 237 pp.

Jayakody, D. S. 2013 - Investigations on fishing gear and methods used in Puttalam estuary

Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia (GCP/RAS/237/SPA):

Field Project Document 2013/LKA/CM/01.

Jayasuriya, P. M. A. 1985 – The present status of finfish and crustacean fishery of the Puttalam

Lagoon. J. Nat. Aq. Res. Ag. Sri Lanka, Vol. 32, pp 94-103.

Jayasuriya, P. M. A. 1991- The species composition, abundance and distribution of seagrass

communities in Puttalam lagoon. Vidyodaya Journal of Science, Vol. 3, pp 93-102.

Kanakaratne, M. D., W. K. T. Perera and B. U. S. Fernando, 1983 – An attempt at determining

the mangrove coverage in Puttalam lagoon, Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay, Sri Lanka using remote

sensing techniques. Proceedings of the 4th

Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, Colombo: Sri

Lanka.

Siriwardene, P. P. G. S. N. 2001- Management strategies for major diseases in shrimp

aquaculture in Sri Lanka. In Rohana Subasinghe, R. Arthur, M. J. Phillips and M. Reantaso

(Eds), Thematic Review on management Strategies for Major Diseases in Shrimp Aquaculture,

Proceedings of workshop held in Cebu, Philippines, 28030 Nov. 1999. WB/NACA/WWF/FAO

Consortium Programme on Shrimp Farming and the Environment.

The Fisheries Development and Management Plan of Puttalam lagoon provides a legal framework for the

implementation of fisheries resource management with a strong focus on environment conservation and a

public statement of the intent of agreed actions by the key stakeholders. The development of the Plan

involved extensive consultations between fishers, fisheries officials, local administrative officials and other

stakeholder agencies responsible for natural resources management and environment conservation. It

identifies what needs to be implemented to achieve sustainable fisheries resources management and

environment conservation in Puttalam lagoon and persons/agencies responsible for each specific action.

In the development of the Plan, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was supported by the

Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development (AECID) through a Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO) of the United Nations trust‐fund project, the Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme

(RFLP) for South and Southeast Asia.

Besides financial and technical support, RFLP also provided logistical assistance for consultation meetings

as well as support for the printing and translation of the Plan into Sinhalese.

The content of the Plan does not necessarily reflect the opinion of FAO, AECID or RFLP.

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