Berendina, PALM promote sustainable lagoon fishing

A project to promote sustainable fishing practices in the Batticaloa district was recently initiated by Berendina Development Services and PALM (East).

This project was an outcome of identifying a critical need for lagoon fisherman in the Batticaloa district to engage in more sustainable fishing practices by PALM (East). The type of nets used by around 80% of lagoon fisherman in Batticaloa are considered illegal due to it not being of specified standards and accepted volume and thereby resulting in over-fishing and jeopardising the sustainability of the Batticaloa lagoon fishing industry.

Under this cost sharing project, Berendina will provide PALM (East), and the implementing partner a grant of Rs. 1.7 million, of which 50% will be repaid by PALM (East)and the balance used for their operating expenses.

The District Fisheries Department is a key partner in the project, being a part of the selection committee of beneficiaries, purchasing committee for nets and also giving guidelines and monitoring the project.

Through the first phase of this three-year project, 189 lagoon fishermen in the Batticaloa district will be provided with interest free loans to obtain legal fishing nets and accessories.

Apart from assistance to obtain legal fishing nets and accessories, the project also entails the provision of capacity building trainings to rural fisheries organisations in the Batticaloa district and education of fishing communities on the long-term negative impacts of adopting illegal fishing practices.

The project will initially commence in Mamunai West, Mamunai North DS Divisions of Batticaloa district.

The project due to be completed in 2017 is expected to benefit up to 3,000 fishermen. The overall project goal is to reduce the use of illegal fishing nets in the Batticaloa district from 80% to 30% by 2017.