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Stilt fishing is one of the traditional artisanal fishing methods which cannot be seen in any part of the world except in Southern coast of Sri Lanka. This unique fishing method is identified by the supporting structure that is used by fishermen during fishing operation. In the present study, methods such as participant-observation, structured questionnaire, interviews and analysis of statistical data were used. The socio-economic data was collected from Goviyapana, Kubalgama and Talpe fishing villages in the Galle district.
Though stilt fishermen are not organized into a society the fishery is managed by the fishermen by their own management strategies. Each fishing reef is used only by fishermen from a particular village or group of villages. Fishing using crafts and nets are forbidden, as are different types of hooks. Fishing rights and skills are transferred from parents to their offspring. According to the catch statistics there was a significantly positive relationship (p<0.05) between rainfall and catch per unit effort at sampling sites. There is no restriction regarding the number of stilts that could be planted in one reef a time and this activity not only damages the reef unnecessarily but also obstacle the free movement of fish in the shallow coastal waters. Offshore fishermen set their nets across the fish migratory pathways even during the stilt fishing period. The present fisheries act (No. 02 of 1996, as amended) does not contain regulations to control setting of nets across fish migratory pathways. Successful stilt fishermen have substantial knowledge of fisheries issues accumulated through informal experience that passes generation to generation. Resolving the issues related to stilt fisheries and/or provision of facilities for other fisheries related activities can help them stay in the industry or diversify. The long-term aim should be to establish resilient communities with sustainable and diversified livelihoods. |
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