Since 2015 Palm is implementing a project on Legal Fishing Net Promotion. The Project has the financial support from Berendina is aiming at the promotion of fishing with legal fishing nets and as such contribute to sustainable management of the fish population in the lagoons.

In 2015 various surveys took place in the project area. Out of the total 4,416 fishermen who catch fish in the lagoon, 3,515 or 80% of them are involved in illegal fishing. As a result, the production of fish, prawns, crabs’ etcetera has been reduced drastically.

The project took place in Nayaru and Kokilai Lagoon Mullaitivu District Maritimepattu DS Division and in Paddipalai, Vellavely, Manmunai North, Manmunai West Eruvil pattu, Manmunai West Eruvil pattu DS Division, Batticaloa district.

Specific objectives:

• To promote fishing in the lagoons with legal nets as to support sustainable management of lagoon fisheries.
• To set up a loan system to purchase legal netting.
• To build the capacities of Rural Fisheries organization regarding the financial transactions and documentations
• To reduce the utility of illegal fishing nets by present 80% to 30%
• To educate lagoon fisheries communities regarding the negative impacts of illegal fishing by adopting adult education techniques.
• To reduce the fine paid by 60% for involving in illegal fishing within the project period (03 years)

Achieved

• To provided 404 Legal fishing nets for lagoon fisheries
• To create awareness with in the lagoon fisheries communities regarding the negative impact of illegal fishing in the lagoon.
• To get active participation from the sector stakeholders in order to eradicate of illegal fishing in the lagoon.
• During the discussions with fishermen and other stakeholder information regarding the pattern of fishing during the past 05 years’ period got analyzed. During these discussions the fishermen revealed that the catch of fish during the past period was high but that fish species is gradually decreasing due to the use of illegal fishing nets (nylon nets, shore nets, disco nets). Furthermore, it became clear that the number of fishermen is increasing and thus making it difficult for the normal fishermen to obtain their average catch of fish. As a result, prawns and crabs are low in catch in Batticaloa lagoon.
• To minimize illegal fish catching in the lagoon by promoting legal fishing gears.
• The fishermen came to the conclusion that the quantity of fish could increase if legal fishing methods are applied where all fishermen would adhere to.
• Next step in the project process has been the setting up of the loan system, by filling the loan application forms and calling for the quotations. Followed by: purchasing and distribution of the nets.
• To create healthy dialog between illegal net venders and other service providers to take actions against the illegal fishing.
• Recovery of the loans and monitoring the project progress were the other important steps in the project. As well as creating a dialog between venders and fisherman about legal net fishing.