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Ranatunga RADS1*, De Silva DMA2, Amarasinghe O3, and Kularatne MG4
1Faculty of Graduate Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
2Department of Agri-Business Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
3Department of Agriculture Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
4Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
The fisheries industry in Sri Lanka plays a vital role in nutritional and food security,
job creation, and foreign revenue earnings. Co-management is an important strategy for sustainable fisheries management,
where fishers, government bodies, and other stakeholders work together. This study aimed to identify gaps affecting
the achievement of 17 FAO good practice indicators related to social and economic goals and objectives of co-management
in Sri Lanka's coastal fisheries sector. A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select participants:
two Fisheries Management Areas were randomly selected from 18 existing areas, followed by three Fisheries Management
Committees from each of the chosen Fisheries Management Areas. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire
administered to 115 fishers, representing a 40 percent sample of the total membership across six selected Fisheries
Management Committees. A desk study of existing laws and regulations, two focus group discussions, and
30 key-informant interviews with officers from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, scientists, leading
fishermen, and academics were conducted. The study revealed significant gaps affecting the successful implementation
of co-management. Key findings include the absence of comprehensive fisheries management and development plans,
low participation of women, youth, and other marginalized groups, limited involvement of state and non-state agencies
beyond the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and weak linkages between co-management programs and
economic benefits for fishers. To address these issues, the study recommends prioritizing the development of
comprehensive co-management plans, actively involving all stakeholders, including women, youth, and marginalized
groups, and creating co-management platforms that accommodate the diverse interests of all stakeholders.
Keywords:
Coastal fisheries, Co-management, Fisheries management
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* - Corresponding Author
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