Fisheries Development and Management Plan of Puttalam Lagoon

Fisheries development and management plan of Puttalam lagoon

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Maligawatte, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka

May 2013

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

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Maligawatte, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka

May 2013

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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.

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 Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

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 km2 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 m3/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.

Figure 1: Puttalam lagoon

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.

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

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

No of fishermen FI division Full time Part Total time 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

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 Shrimp (also catches non- All year round. target species) or fish. A three layered gill net. Mesh size varies depending on target catch (fish or shrimp)

Gear Target species Fishing season

2 Trammel net (Yaka dela) Mixed catch. All year round / Illegal as it catches fry and fingerlings The middle panel of the net is single ply

3 Trammel net (monofilament) Mostly shrimp. Other All year round. smaller species and This net is constructed using juveniles are also caught. monofilament. 4 Gill nets Mixed species. All year (About 600 fishers use this Small-meshed gill nets of gear). 30-50 mm mesh. 5 Gill net for sardine (Sooda White sardine (Soodaya) This is a seasonal fishery dela) from Dec – April.

37-44 mm meshed gill net 6 Gillnet for halfbeaks (Murali Halfbeaks Only during peak monsoonal dela) (called Muralla in Sinhala, months. hence the name of the net) 87-100 mm mesh gill nets 7 Gill net (Tsunami dela) Pelagic and demersal fish.

Gill net with the upper part of large meshed netting and the lower part of smaller mesh netting 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 Crabs. All year.

(75-100 mm mesh) 13 Fyke net Fish and shrimp. Considered harmful as it (Kudu dela) catches juvenile fish. 14 Bottom long lines Scads and Liza spp. Seasonal/small scale near the

Gear Target species Fishing season

mouth of the lagoon. 15 Push nets Used in shallow waters for Illegal but used all year aquarium fish. (small scale). 16 Sangili del (chain nets) Used in Kalpitiya area for Considered a harmful fishing This is a trawl net. shrimp. method. 17 Drag net Fish and shellfish. A harmful fishing method; (Kadippu dela) used throughout the year. 18 Monofilament nets (Tangus Fish. Illegal but used all year nets ) 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

No. OFRP boats No. MTRB boats No. NTRB boats Fishery Full Full Full time Seasonal time Seasonal 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

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 Fish Production (MT) division 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.

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

Fishery OFRP boats MTRB NTRB boats Total boats 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

14 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 No. of Head Count Household No. of Samurdhi Division families Index population below recipient poverty line 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

$1,229 per hectare per year (Batagoda, 2003). On this basis the fishery value of 1,392.7 ha of Puttalam mangrove was estimated at US$ 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).

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.

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

18 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 No. 2 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.02 No. 3 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.03 No. 4 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.04 No. 5 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.05 No. 6 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.06 No. 7 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.07 No. 8 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.08 No. 9 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.09 No. 10 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.010 No. 11 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.011 No. 12 Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee DFAR/F.Com/P.L.012

 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

19 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 5 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 2 6 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 3 7 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 4 8 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 5 9 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 6 10 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 7 11 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 8 12 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 9 13 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 10 14 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 11 15 Nominated member Fisheries Committee No. 12 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

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;

- 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 - High fishing intensity - Limit the number of fishers and resources control access to who can fish in the - Fishing beyond sustainable lagoon limits - Use of small-meshed nets and - Conduct investigations and increased numbers of nets determine minimum mesh size of nets used for catching shrimp - Continued use of - Strict enforcement of regulations banned/illegal fishing gear due banning illegal and harmful gear to lack of enforcement - Awareness creation for security - Lack of awareness among agencies involved in enforcement enforcement agencies

- Excessive trawling at the - Introduce collaborative

lagoon mouth reduces the management of fisheries quantity of shrimp and fish entering the lagoon Socio-economic issues - Fishing by outsiders (non- - Ensure livelihoods of fishers Decreasing income members) particularly during through a strictly enforced licensing from fishing the peak season scheme

- Control access to who can fish in the lagoon - Theft of fish and fishing gear - Strengthen monitoring, control and as fishing is conducted for the surveillance capability of concerned whole day authorities

- Theft of fish from nets at night Restrictions on - Restriction of fishing areas - Establish institutional mechanism fishing activities due to tourism development enabling coordination between activities agencies to minimise economic damage to lagoon fishers - Restriction of fishing areas due to security zones - Establish planned water use zonation

Fishing gear - Shortage of fishing gear - Facilitate easy access to fishing gear

Marketing of fish - No organized transport facility - Provision of better marketing - No market for the catch facilities - Do not get fair price for fish - No proper marketing facility - Strict enforcement of regulations - Unscrupulous fish vendors against banned gear - Large landings by banned gear (Laila del and Surukku dela) depress prices and impact on earnings of lagoon fishers 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

Kurrakkanhena, in policing and monitoring, control Kuringnampitiya and and surveillance Mandalakudawa due to use of Kudu dela Environmental issues Destruction and - Illegal encroachment into the - Establish lagoon boundaries to pollution of the lagoon minimize illegal encroachment lagoon ecosystem adversely impacting on fish resources - Destruction of mangroves for - Prepare and implement a mangrove aquaculture and other management plan for the lagoon development activities with community participation - Pollution of lagoon water due - Establish institutional mechanism to sewage disposal enabling coordination between agencies to minimise damage to lagoon environment Governance issues Lack of data & - Lack of catch and effort data - Introduce a collaborative fisheries information of the lagoon fishery data collection system for the for management lagoon, which involves both decisions government and fishers in data collection

- Lack of - Carry out research on major fish research/investigations on and crustacean varieties (biology, fishery resources and lagoon population studies, etc.) and share ecosystem 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 - Wilful violation of rules and - promote compliance through compliance regulations workshops, meetings, etc. with fishing community

- Fishers and other stakeholders to be organized to comply with a voluntary code of conduct.

- Inadequate enforcement by - Strengthen enforcement capability concerned authorities - Lack of knowledge and - Conduct awareness programmes awareness 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 – - Annual production - Total catch falling by more than 10% over the previous Maintain catch levels at +/- year 10% of present level - Size of selected major - Size of selected major species harvested species harvested decreased by an agreed proportion

- Proportion of juveniles or - Proportion of juveniles or under-sized fish of selected under-sized fish of selected species in catches species in catches increased by an agreed proportion

Objectives of the Plan Performance Indicator Trigger point

Social – economic

Maintain income levels - Average annual income of - Income from fishing fallen within 10% of present level fishers by more than 10% over the previous year

Reduction of indebtedness - No. of fishers in debt - No. of fishers in debt has of fishers increased by more than 10% over the previous year

Environmental – - Current extent of lagoon - Extent of lagoon area and Protection of lagoon mangroves decreased by more ecosystem - Current extent of mangrove than 10% over the previous year - Level of pollution - Level of pollution increased by an more than 10% over the previous year

Governance – Increased participation of - No. of fishers in committees - Attendance at management fishers in management meetings decreased by an - Attendance at meetings 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

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

27 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.

 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;

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

30 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 Completion Responsible for implementation date checking 1 Conduct periodic NARA 1st assessment DG / NARA assessment of fish by end of 2014 DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR potential/productivity of Puttalam lagoon 2 Implement regular fish NARA Continuous DG / NARA catch monitoring District Fisheries Office / from 2014 DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR programme Puttalam onwards Fisheries Committees Enforce regulations District Fisheries Offices Continuous DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR 3 / Puttalam Fisheries Committees Police /Navy Strengthen and support 4 fisheries MFARD / DFAR Continuous DG/DFAR co-management initiatives 5 Evaluate the status of NARA By 2014 DG / NARA

Tasks Responsible for Completion Responsible for implementation date checking Beche de Mer (sea DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR cucumber) fishery and conduct research on replenishment of wild sandfish (Holothuria scabra) population in Puttalam lagoon * 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

Tasks Responsible for Completion date Responsible for implementation checking 1 Issue of Fishing Operations District Fisheries Issue/renewal in DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR Licenses only to members Offices / Puttalam December every of Fisheries Committees Fisheries Committees year 2 Preparation of Register of District Fisheries Update every DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR Fishers Offices / Puttalam December 3 Registration of all lagoon District Fisheries Issue/renewal in DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR fishing craft Offices / Puttalam December every year 4 Strengthen monitoring, DFAR control and surveillance Fisheries Committees Continuous mechanism 5 Conduct socio-economic NARA DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR studies on Puttalam lagoon fisher community 6 Promote seaweed culture NARA DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR through pilot activities including market surveys

7 Introduce alternative Continuous District Secretary livelihoods /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

Tasks Responsible for Completion Responsible for implementation date checking 1 Implementation of a FD / FMCC Continuous DG/ Forest Dept. participatory mangrove from 2013 District management plan onwards Secretary/Puttalam Mapping of sea grass NARA By 2014 DG / NARA beds in Puttalam lagoon DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR

2 Enforcement of District Fisheries DD ( Mgmt) / DFAR regulations banning Offices / Puttalam Continuous harmful fishing methods Police/Navy 3 Establish lagoon FMCC End Dec. 2014 District Secretary boundaries to minimize /Puttalam illegal encroachment

4 Minimize pollution of MEPA Continuous District Secretary lagoon water due to NWP Env. Authority /Puttalam industrial pollutants 5 Minimize pollution of Pradeshiya Sabha Continuous District Secretary lagoon water due to Municipal Council /Puttalam sewage disposal 6 Minimize pollution of Pradeshiya Sabha Continuous District Secretary lagoon water due to solid Municipal Council /Puttalam waste disposal Divisional Secretaries 7 Investigations into NAQDA / NARA District Secretary impacts of shrimp /Puttalam farming on the hydrobiology of the DG/NARA lagoon DG/NAQDA

8 Coordinate all NAQDA / NARA Continuous District Secretary aquaculture activities in /Puttalam

Tasks Responsible for Completion Responsible for implementation date checking the lagoon NWP Env. Authority Divisional Secretaries

9 Coordinate expansion of CEA Continuous District Secretary salterns to minimise NWP Env. Authority /Puttalam adverse impacts on Divisional lagoon ecosystem Secretaries 10 Monitoring of lagoon NARA/ MEPA Continuous District Secretary ecosystem 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.

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.

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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.