Challenges faced by fishermen in marine fishing: a study based on Nintavur DS Division.

Abstract

Fishing is one of the major activities of the people worldwide. It is also one of the most lucrative sectors in the world today, both developed and developing. The fishing industry is one of the most important sectors in the Sri Lankan economy and plays a major role in meeting the food needs of the people of Sri Lanka. As far as the Ampara district is concerned, marine resources are the main source of livelihood and fishing is the main occupation of the people living close to the sea. Based on this, Nintavur is an area in the Ampara District in the eastern province of Sri Lanka. The communities that have recently been dependent on the marine fishing industry in the area are facing various challenges in their employment due to the various physical and economic impacts. Such challenges also pose a variety of problems in the social context. Based on this, the first and secondary data were used to carry out this study with the aim of identifying the challenges faced by the fishing community in Ninthavur area and making recommendations accordingly. Questionnaire, interview and Plot observation method were used as the first level data and texts, magazines, websites, monthly publications and divisional secretariat data were used as the second level data. These data were analyzed using a combination of graphical and descriptive statistical methods. Based on the results of the analysis, the study identifies the challenges faced by the fisherman such as time constrains, sea erosion, inadequate parking facilities, depletion of the number of fishermen and shortage of fishing equipment and further aims to mitigate the challenges faced by such fishermen in the years to come.