Development of co-management in the Inland Fisheries in Sri Lanka: Case studies of Senenayake Samudra and Mahavilachchiya Reservoirs

Abstract

The Aquatic Resource Development and Quality Improvement Project in Sri Lanka conducted the first country-wide survey of the inland fisheries, with emphasis on reservoirs. The same project also introduced a form of co-management on selected reservoirs, which would assure sustainable management of the fisheries and which are regularly enhanced by stocking of fingerlings from aquaculture centers. A comparison is made between two reservoirs including all management tools that are available and used for its fisheries. Results from the case studies could be applied to other reservoirs throughout the island also.

Keywords:

• frame survey
• community-based organization
• co-operative society
• stakeholders
• illegal fishing