Economics of Fishing by Multi Day Crafts in Sri Lanka- A Research of REINCORPFISH

The Multi day Boat survey report was presented to the REINCORPFISH partner group by Dr. Oscar Amarasinghe which was much awaited by the group. The report has come up with some interesting in sights. The topic of the survey is "ECONOMICS OF FISHING BY MULTI - DAY CRAFTS OF SRI LANKA" which gave a very good overview of the Sri Lankan multi day fishing industry. The study has been carried out in Negombo, Beruwala, Galle, Tangalle and Trincomalee harbours. There should be an in-depth discussion on the out come of the report as there are number of policy implications of the fisheries sector. The deep sea fisheries policy and how the authorities are promoting further larger vessels has been challenged the report. The average size of the profitable vessels would be 36-38' category while the vessel exceeds this limits the profits will goes down according to Oscar Amarasinghe's report. In the report, it revealed that the vessels launching from Galle harbor seems lesser tendency to get arrest in foreign countries while the vessels launch from Tangalle harbor has highest tendency to get arrest in foreign countries. Results of the study revealed that, multiday fishing is quite costly, which required heavy investment on crafts. Value of a multiday craft with accessories and gear ranged from Rs. 5 m to 6.3 m. These crafts are equipped with a fish hold which could store fish in ice, a fuel tank that could hold a large volume of fuel a water tank, radio communication equipment and location finding devices such as GPS. They have a cabin to provide accommodation for crew and facilities for cooking. These crafts generally target tuna, shark, billfish, and mackerel resources, using fishing gear such as long lining and gillnetting. They are usually engaged in long fishing trips, often 1 week to 1 month in duration. A good number of these crafts fish beyond Sri Lank’s EEZ, in territories such as the Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal, other Indian waters, Andaman Islands, Nicorbar Islands, Maldive Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Bangladesh, Madagascar Indonesia and Australian Islands. The duration of some of these fishing trips exceed 45 days. NAFSO expect to conduct a study based on the report in which Oscar Amarasinghe would attend to discussion and awareness program with NAFSO activists. Herman