Socioeconomic issues related to the lobster fishery in Polhena, Sri Lanka (original) (raw)

Spiny lobster fishery is a well-established reef associated income generation activity in the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Being an export oriented industry there is a high demand on spiny lobsters as well as a high risk of their overexploitation. As such well-planned management plans are needed for the sustainability of this lobster fishery. In order to develop a proper management plan, it is imperative to have a clear understanding of the socioeconomic issues faced by the lobster fisher folk in the area. With this view, a survey on the reef associated fisher folk was carried out at Polhena village, Matara from 28thof February 2013 to 15th of February 2014, in order to obtain their views on the current socioeconomic issues and trends related to lobster fishery. Data were collected via pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire formal and informal discussions and field observations. Results indicated that the major socio-economic issues related to this industry were the lack of a fixed price system for spiny lobsters, lack of a well-defined property right for fisher folk in the area and the lack of savings and alternative livelihood during the spiny lobster fishery off season. This study suggests that these issues are needed to be addressed to formulate a local level fisheries resources management plan with continuous monitoring studies.