FADs used in local waters:

Bigger fish harvest on the cards in coastal zones

By Naalir Jamaldeen

A shrimp farm

Rural folk engaged in shrimp harvesting

National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has implemented various marine research programs along Sri Lankan territorial waters including Trincomalee. Sri Lanka has exclusive Economic Zones (ETZ), NARA Chairman Dr. Sayuru Samarasundera said.

He said that comparatively fish production is low. Lack of knowledge in operating modern fishing equipment and using poor technology are the obstructing factors in identifying fish breeding places and the return to shore with low harvest. NARA has implemented various training programs targeting deep sea and shallow water fishermen.

"Due to this, fishing activities of fishermen is limited to a few kilometers from the shore. Socio-economic studies have revealed that fishermen still use traditional knowledge in fishing.

Fishermen are reluctant to use technologies and modern fishing techniques. Production cost is high because of poor yield. Because of poor harvest, fishermen are compelled to use illegal fishing equipment and destructive fishing methods like dynamiting and bottom trawling.

Under the "Mahinda Chinthanaya" national development concept the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has drafted a ten-year plan and NARA is gradually implementing it.

Tuna fish like Yellow fin tuna, Big Eye Tuna and Skip jack tuna normally gather around floating objects. Sometimes it takes two or several weeks to get to the exact spot. Fishermen spend a long time searching for the spot where these varieties of fish are found", Dr. Samarasundera said.

NARA has introduced Fish Aggravating Devices (FADs) along Sri Lankan territorial waters. Normally FADs are made of using local material such as Bamboo rafts, truck tyres, bamboo stacks, drum and some other methods in shallow waters to catch small varieties of fish which breed in the shallow waters, he said.

Dr. Samarasundera said that the FAD system was started in the 1984-85 period around the shallow waters off Ambalangoda, Galle, Tangalle and Panadura. But the target could not be achieved and faded away in due course of time. Material used did not last for a long time and anchoring methods were also not effective.

Besides the FADs were sometimes damaged or destroyed by the rough waves during monsoon and heavy wind seasons. The modern FADs are the result of advanced technology and materials can be anchored over 3000 meters from the depth of sea. Large varieties of fish like Yellow fin Tuna, Big eye Tuna, Skip jack tuna and the structure can be used for long period of time. With the motorization of the fishing fleet, the efficiency and range of operation of the fleet has increased by several folds.

Many Asian countries which have advanced fishing industries like China, Japan, the Philippines, the Maldives and Thailand use such devices on larger scale. Specially Tuna varieties of fish is harvested using this technology in these countries, he said.

"NARA has started some new experiments in the coastal zone in Trincomalee since 2012. Two FADs have been made to float at depths of around 30m in certain locations on an experimental level. The aim of this research was to increase the fish production and to motivate the fishermen towards using modern fishing equipment and to increase fish production of this the country. The newly developed FADs will survive even during heavy rain and waves created by heavy winds. The FADs are inspected by the NARA marine officers from time to time", Dr. Samarasundera said.

He said that the advent of modern technology in the fisheries sector helps fishermen in predicting fish breeding places, temperature changes in the seas. The FADs can be used effectively and thousands of families which depend on fishery industry benefit.

The cost of production of advanced FAD is comparatively high. But this cost will not be a burden because profits will be much higher than the effort needed to harvest. The payback period of the investment is comparatively shorter than other marine based industries, he noted.

Following the success of an experimental project in Trincomalee, NARA Technologists have anchored five highly effective FADs in five identified specific locations off the Eastern seas this year. Most of them are close to the edge of the continental shelf, orts made by NARA to increase Marine Fish Production in Sri Lanka, according to Dr. Samarasundera.

"Improvement of the rural economy is the need of the hour. Aquaculture plays a pivotal role in increasing food production and to eliminate malnutrition from the country. Marine resources are also one of the main sectors which help to eliminate malnutrition while contributing to the national economy. Lanka shrimp is the first demonstration carried out by NARA in the aquaculture sector. Surveys in the sectors like inland aquaculture, ornamental fish, mollusks, and other sectors will also be carried out", he said.

The Aquaculture sector needs proper management socially and environmentally. Increased access to knowledge is required to develop ecologically sound and profitable aquaculture systems and to ensure that it successfully contributes to sustainable rural livelihoods.

The Sri Lanka Aquaculture Portal web site has been developed as part of an international research collaboration project between Canada and Sri Lanka called Promoting rural income from sustainable aquaculture through social learning in Sri Lanka.

This project was supported by the Canada International Development Agency (CIDA) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF).

The project collaborators are the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada, and the Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka in partnership with the North Western Provincial Council Ministry of Fisheries, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Authority (NARA) and voluntary organizations including Sri Lanka Aquaculture Development Alliance (SLADA), shrimp farm organizations, and the Aquaculture Technology Society, Dr. Samarasundera said.

The aim is to find innovative ways to deliver market, technology, and environmental information about aquaculture to households, farms, and businesses in Sri Lanka. Expected outcomes include Increased aquaculture productivity and income, Improved knowledge and information-sharing between aquaculture farmers Widespread availability of technical information in local languages, and Creation of a legacy of farmers, including women, able to access, share, and apply knowledge about sustainable aquaculture, he said.

Conduct marine resource surveys an d stock assessment studies Conduct marine environment impact assessments studies, Assist in identification of marine organisms Provide guidelines and assist in developing strategies for conservation of endangered marine species Technical advice for marine resource management Conduct training programs on marine fisheries management Supervision of projects on marine biology and fisheries undertaken by graduates and school children Disease diagnosis of fish and shrimp Testing of water and soil quality for aquaculture practices Site assessments for aquaculture Environmental impact assessment of aquaculture practices Conduct training programs on exotic and endemic breeding, propagation of aquatic plants, aquaculture and wetland ecosystems, he noted.