Record Details
Irrigation Development on Lagoon Fisheries and Fishing Communities: A case study of Malala Lagoon in Sri Lanka
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Irrigation Development on Lagoon Fisheries and Fishing Communities: A case study of Malala Lagoon in Sri Lanka |
| Names |
Kularatne, Mohottala Gedara
(creator) |
| Date Issued | 2014-07-07 (iso8601) |
| Note | presentation |
| Abstract | "Human choices affect nature and nature affects human choice". This research is investigated irrigation development on lagoon fisheries in Sri Lanka. Spatial variation of the lagoon system is derived from the land use maps. Information on biological changes of the lagoon and bio-economic conditions were obtained from the secondary data. Socio-economic information was collected from sample survey of by 32 fisher and 18 non-fisher households in Palle Malala and Kiripattiya Villages. Changes of land use pattern in upper stream area are increased the water level and decrease the salinity content in the lagoon. It is estimated that some 212 ha of water surface has been added what used to be forest pastureland and bird habitat in the lagoon system. The salinity level of the lagoon decreased from 10 - 41ppt with a mean value of 18.5ppt in 1985 to 1-7ppt in 1992. Changes of salinity content results in the changes in the fish species composition, which leads to decrease of economically valuable shrimp fish production. Increases water level also affects to desalinate the paddy fields and the decrease grazing lands. Altered water regime in the lagoon system causes the changes of economic behavior of the community and use of other natural resources in area. The prevailing problem cannot solve only by implementing regulations or any other controlling measures. Diversion of discharge water directly to the sea, avoiding the lagoon is the most appropriate solution, which in deed can enhance both bio-physical and socioeconomic systems associated with the Malala lagoon. |
| Genre | Presentation |
| Topic | Fisheries Economics |
| Identifier | Kularatne, Mohottala Gedara. 2014. Irrigation Development on Lagoon Fisheries and Fishing Communities: A case study of Malala Lagoon in Sri Lanka. In: Towards ecosystem based management of fisheries: what role can economics play?: Proceedings of the Seventeenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, July 7-11, 2014, Brisbane, Australia. Complied by Ann L. Shriver & Melissa Errend. Corvallis, OR: International Institute of Fisheries. |
