Socio economic considerations relating to sustainable utilization of
Gulf of Mannar Resources

General
IUCN conducted a rapid socio-economic and terrestrial biodiversity assessment in Coastal DS Divisions of Mannar with financial assistance from Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project (BOBLME) of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This provides a summary of findings of the study.
The rapid assessment revealed that the coastal DS Divisions of Mannar District has a rich biological diversity, unique archeological and cultural resources which many are not aware of. Detailed findings are provided in the draft report to be finalized after review by the District Authorities under the leadership of Government Agent for Mannar.
With the end of the civil conflict, the displaced people are returning and investors are trying to acquire land for development activities. There is a high demand for land for various development activities. These alternative uses may put pressure on rich biological, archeological and cultural resources in Mannar – especially when they are not well known and properly documented. On the other hand, local people dependant on natural resources tend to over exploit some of the natural resources impacting their long term sustainability. Therefore, awareness raising programmes on richness of biological diversity in Mannar and the need for their sustainable use is essential. Awareness raising programmes are scheduled by the project targeting natural resource users and school children in coastal areas of Mannar district.
It is also planned to produce an information booklet for Mannar District based on the findings of this study and the findings of the previous study on rapid biodiversity assessment (by University of Ruhuna with IUCN funding). This information booklet will include GIS maps prepared by the study team, which would assist planners in allocating land for alternate users and capitalizing on the available resources for planned nature based tourism development.
Following is a brief account of findings under different categories.
(i) Fisheries
Fishermen engaged with many destructive fishing practices impact long term sustainable utilization of the resources in the Gulf of Mannar. These include the following;
1. Use of explosives (dynamite) for fishing Although this is banned, discussions with fishermen and officials revealed that dynamite is still being used by some fishermen, particularly in Pallimunai to Thavulpadu area. This is a highly destructive fishing practice that needs to be arrested through strict enforcement. Joint action of the Fisheries Department and Navy should be further strengthened with necessary finances on curbing the use of explosive for fishing.
2. Use of monofilament (tangus) nets It was observed that in almost all the landing sites monofilament nets is a common feature. With the notification of enforcement of ban by the Ministry of Fisheries during (from 3 October 2010) the study period, people were hesitant to use the net. However for many fishermen that was the only available fishing gear.
3. Use of brush piles for catching cuttlefish In many areas including Pallimunai and Vankalai in Mannar FID, fishermen use mangrove branches (as brush piles) to catch cuttlefish. They catch cuttlefish which approach these branches to place their eggs using artificial baits with multiple hooks. The team observed a case of bringing a brush pile after fishing which contained cuttlefish eggs. Destruction of mangroves is another concern in this fishing practice.
4. Use of Surukku nets – encircling net This also a common practice where the gear is capable of catching a whole school of fish including juveniles.
5. Use of SCUBA diving for collection of sea cucumber and conch No permits are given in Mannar to use of SCUBA gear; however it was revealed that businessmen from Kalpitiya have employed fishermen to catch sea cucumber and conch in Silvatturai. The danger is that these SCUBA divers can remain in water for a longer time and collect these highly immobile animals in large numbers threatening their survival.
6. Bottom Trawling is a highly destructive fishing practice as it disturbs the sea bottom. There are about 85 trawlers in Pesalai operating two days a week. Those who have invested on these vessels like to operate their vessels throughout, but the authorities have ordered them to stop trawling from 3rd October, 2010.
7. Poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters Indian fishermen use bigger Trawlers in large numbers on Sri Lankan waters violating territorial user rights and leading to ecological and socio-economic issues in the Sri Lankan part of the Gulf of Mannar. Sri Lankan fishermen also get arrested by Indian Authorities for violating their territorial boundary. However, the numbers are declining according to discussions that the team had with fisheries officials in Mannar.
8. Pollution of coastal areas due to discarding of by-catch and fish refuse in and around the landing sites is a common feature.
9. Poor handling of fish, resulting in quality deterioration of the catch and wastage is also a concern.
10. The current ice production is insufficient, many buyers bring their own ice.
11. Entire Mannar coast does not have a proper fishing harbour. All fiberglass boats and other smaller boats land on the beach while trawlers and multiday boats anchor in the sea.
12. Preparation of fish for drying and the drying method can be improved to produce a better quality dried fish.