1. Introduction

Fisheries in sri lanka

The fisheries sector plays an indispensable role in the economy of Sri Lanka contributing

around 1.2% to the GDP. Fish products are an important source of animal protein, providing

around 70% of the animal protein consumed in the country (Food Balance Sheet, Department

of Census and Statistics). The sector provides direct and indirect employment to around

650,000 people and is directly linked with the lives of approximately 50% of the population

who resides in the coastal belt. Fisheries sector contribution to the total export earnings of the

country is around 2.5%. The fisheries sector has a significant scope for increasing the

contribution to the national economy, exploiting the huge untapped potential. Fishing

industry in the Northern and Eastern provinces, which was hampered to a greater extent

during the past two decades owing to the ethnic conflict is expected to revive with the dawn

of peace. The Northern and Eastern provinces which accounts for around 60% of the

coastline of the island have a huge unexploited potential. The damaged infrastructure and

facilities as well as the curtailment of fishing activities on security grounds has resulted in a

considerable fall in production from these parts during the past two decades. With the

opening up of seas around the Northern and Eastern parts, the country expects a rapid boost

in the fishing and allied activities and hence the increase in contribution to the GDP.

Fishing for indigenous sporting fish in Sri Lanka is free. With a shoreline of 1,140 miles and a

continental shelf of 10,000 square miles, the seas around Ceylon have an unlimited fishing potential

hardly exploited.

Trolling over the continental shelf yields catches of tuna ranging from the 2-3ft skipjack to the 6ft

yellowfin and bluefin, the acrobatic dolphin, swordfish and marlin which attain a size to provide a

challenge to the best big game fishermen of any country. The broadbill swordfish found in deeper

waters reach a length of 15ft and a weight of well over 1,000lb. Though reaching only 10ft and 250lb,

the sailfish compensate for their smaller size by their remarkable agility.

The monsoons regulate the fishing in Sri Lanka Seas. The western and southern coasts are favoured

during the North-East monsoon (from October to April) and the east coast during the South-West

monsoon (from May to September). The best season for sport fishing in Sri Lanka in Western and

South Eastern Coast is from August to May when the seas are calm. The popular bait are artificial

lures but live bait is also used frequently. The bottom water bait such as Ropala, Big Mack, Sisco Kid

are popular and many other deep runners can be used successfully, with the Sail Fish and Grouper.

The other top water bait are Squid Skirts.

Next in popularity among surf-casters come the barracuda and Spanish mackerel. Both these species

of voracious predatory fish attain lengths of 6ft as do other species known locally as `giant perch’,

`threadfins’ and `tassel fish’ which frequent the estuaries.

Sri Lanka is much admired for its abundance of sub-aquatic life. Its unspoiled seas and fishing zones

hold an abundance of game fish for the keen angler. Species of Marlin, Sail Fish, Wahoo, Spanish

Mackerel, Giant Trevallie, Benito, Queen Fish (the world record is held in Sri Lanka. Barracuda,

Grouper, Cobia and Tuna make this beautiful island second to none when it comes to sea angling

The South west Breakwater of the Colombo Harbour is another popular venue for fishing. A licence

has to be obtained from the Colombo Port Authorities on a monthly basis for fishing at the

breakwater. Anglers have very big catches at this fishing site.

Inland trout fish

Nuwara Eliya is the best centre for trout fishing. As it is above the 6,000ft level, the climate is

temperate. There is good hotel accommodation. The fishing is, with few exceptions, restricted to fly

only and most common patterns of wet fly are successful. Dry fly is rarely used, there being little

natural fly. There is no statutory close season. Size limits vary from 8in to 15in.

The main waters are: Nuwara Eliya stream (flows through the golf course and park); Ambawela

stream (8m from Nuwara Eliya; jungle and grassland); Bulu Ella stream (21/2m jungle); Portswood

Dam (4m; tea estate); Agra Oya and Gorge Valley rivers (10-15m; tea estates), and the magnificently

spectacular Horton Plains stream (30m; jungle and grassland, Nature reserve). Motor transport can

be hired. On any of these waters it is possible to maintain an average of 1lb and several fish over 3lb

are caught.

Trout fishing is now controlled by the Nuwara Eliya District Fishing Club. Stocking has so far been

carried out in Portswood Dam, the Horton Plains, Agra Oya and Gorge Valley. For licences

application should be made to the Honorary Secretary, Nuwara Eliya District Fishing Club, Court

Lodge Estate, Kandapola. Visitors are advised to bring their tackle as fly tackle is scarce in Sri Lanka.

The two main species of indigenous sporting fish in Sri Lanka are the mahseer and the walaya

(freshwater shark), found in the jungle rivers of the Low Country, particularly the Mahaweli river, the

upper reaches of the Kelani river and the Amban Ganga (river). Ceylon mahseer, though small

compared with those in some Indian rivers, provide good sport, but fishing for them can be

somewhat difficult.

http://abooda.com/fishing-in-sri-lanka/

2. Fish species sold by fish vendors

Istiophorus platypterus (Thalapath) Katsuwonus pelamis (Balaya)

Neothunnus macropterus (kelawalla) Cybium commersoni (Bambara thora)

Amblygaster sirm ( Hurulla) Sardinella melanura ( Salaya)

Sardinella albellaa-Sudaya Rastrelliger kanagurta-Kumbalawa

stolephorus commersonii (Halmassa) Auxis thazard (Alagoduwa)

Thunnus albacares (Kelawalla) Caranx habiri (Parawa)

3.Fish Prices of Fish Market

Fish type Price/Rs.

02/6/2013 16/06/2013 28/06/2013 5/07/2013

Kelawalla 510.00 500.00 500.00 500.00

Thalapath 640.00 620.00 640.00 650.00

Balaya 500.00 500.00 520.00 520.00

Paraw 530.00 510.00 530.00 530.00

Habarali 470.00 480.00 490.00 480.00

Atissa 620.00 600.00 610.00 610.00

Salaya 210.00 220.00 200.00 210.00

Sudaya 180.00 170.00 180.00 180.00

Atawalla 380.00 380.00 390.00 380.00

Della 530.00 530.00 530.00 530.00

4.Fishing gears

Classification of fishing gears

Fishing gears are commonly classified in two main categories: passive and active. This

classification is based on the relative behavior of the target species and the fishing gear. With

passive gears, the capture of fish is generally based on movement of the target species

towards the gear (e.g. traps), while with active gears capture is generally based on an aimed

chase of the target species (e.g. trawls, dredges). A parallel on land would be the difference

between the trapping of and hunting for animals.

PASSIVE FISHING GEARS

Nets

Hook and line fishing

Pots and traps

Passive gears are in general the most ancient type of fishing gears. These gears are most

suitable for small scale-fishing and are, therefore, often the gear types used in artisanal

fisheries. Some passive fishing gears are often referred to as "stationary" fishing gears.

Stationary gears are those anchored to the seabed and they constitute a large group of the

passive gears. However, some moving gears such as drift nets may also be classified as

passive gears, as fish capture by these gears also depend on movement of the target species

towards the gear.

1. Nets

(a) Gillnets

Catching principle

The gillnet is named after its catching principle, as fish are usually caught by "gilling" - i.e.

the fish is caught in one of the meshes of the gillnet, normally by the gill region (between the

head and the body). Thus, fish capture by gillnets is based on fish encountering the gear

Sura Paraw 510.00 500.00 500.00 500.00

Piyamessa 280.00 280.00 280.00 280.00

Moralla 410.00 430.00 440.00 430.00

Thora 1820.00 1840.00 1850.00 1850.00

during feeding or migratory movements. As fish may avoid the gillnet if they notice the gear,

catches are normally best at low light levels or in areas with turbid water.

Today, gillnets are almost exclusively made from synthetic fibres, normally nylon

(polyamide) - either as multifilament thread or monofilament (gut). The latter is increasingly

being used because of its low visibility and correspondingly higher catch efficiency. Multi-

monofilament is also becoming more common.

Operation

Gillnets are most commonly operated as a stationary gear anchored to the bottom at either

end, but may also be so-called drift-nets which float freely in the water. Stationary nets may

be set on the seabed, at different depths in the water column or with the float line at the

surface. Similarly, drift-nets may be operated with the float line at the surface or suspended

from surface floats and corresponding float lines to the desired fishing depth in midwater.

Target species

Gillnets are used to catch a large variety of fish species. In general, bottom gillnets are used

for catching demersal species like cod, flatfish, croakers and snapper, while pelagic gillnets

are used for species like tuna, mackerel, salmon, squid and herring.

(b) Trammel nets

Catching principle

In trammel nets, fish are caught by entanglement, which is facilitated by its special

construction of three panels of nets attached on the same rope with a high degree of

slackness.

Operation

Trammel nets are usually set and operated like bottom set gillnets, mainly in small-scale,

near-shore fisheries.

Target species

Trammel nets are used for catching a large variety of demersal fish.

2. Hook and line fishing

Different fishing methods are based on the use of fish hooks; longlining, trolling and various

forms of handlining such as jigging. The general catching principle of hook fishing is to

attract the fish to the hook and entice the fish to bite and/or swallow the hook so that the fish

becomes hooked and retained.

(a) Handlining and trolling

Catching principle

The fish is attracted to the hook by visual stimuli, either natural bait or more commonly in the

form of artificial imitations of prey organisms like lures, jigs, rubber worms etc.

Target species

Typical target species with handlining are demersal fishes like cod and snapper as well as

squid. Trolling is mainly directed towards pelagic species like mackerel, tuna and salmon.

(b) Longlining

The catching principle and construction of longlines are shown in Figure 4.

Catching principle

Longlining is based on attracting fish by bait attached to the hook. While handlining and

trolling generally exploit the visual sense of the fish to attract it to the hook by artificial lures,

longlining exploits the chemical sense of the fish. Odour released from the bait triggers the

fish to swim towards and ingest the baited hook with a high probability of being caught.

Target species

Pelagic (drifting) longlines are typically used for catching species like tuna, swordfish and

salmon, while bottom set longlines are used for demersal species like snapper, cod, haddock,

halibut, ling, tusk, hake and toothfish.

3. Pots and traps

Pots are considered within the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing

Gear to be a type of trap (Nédélec and Prado 1990) but are described separately here because

of the differences in catching principle and construction between pots and other forms of trap.

The general catching principle of pots (creels) and traps is to entice or lead the target species

into a box or compartment from which it is difficult or impossible to escape.

(a) Pots

Catching principle

As with longlining, pot fishing is normally based on attracting target organisms by bait

(chemical stimuli). When attracted to the pot, the target organism must enter the pot to gain

access to the bait. This can be done through one or several entrances (funnels) of the pot.

Target species

Pots are most widely used to catch different crustaceans, like crabs, lobsters and shrimps.

Pots are also used for catching different species of finfish like sablefish, tusk and cod in

temperate waters and reef fish such as groupers in tropical waters. Other species that are

caught with pots are whelks and octopus.

(b) Traps

Traps are normally not baited, but catch fish and other organisms by leading them into the

trap, eventually to the fish compartment, that is designed for holding the fish entrapped with

low possibility of escaping.

Target species

A variety of target species are caught by tidal traps, both finfish and crustaceans, e.g.

shrimps, naturally dominated by species living in the tidal zone. As mentioned above, traps

are traditionally used for catching cod and salmon (N. Atlantic), tuna (Mediterranean), small

pelagic species in Far East Asia, some species of weakfish (members of the Sciaenidae) and

others. Fyke nets are used for catching various species, but are particularly used for eel and

cod.

4. ACTIVE FISHING GEARS

1. Spears and harpoons

2. Trawls and dredges

3. Seine nets

4. Beach seines

5. Purse seines

6. Other fishing gears and devices

Fish capture by active gears is based on the aimed chase of the target species and combined

with different ways of catching it.

1. Spears and harpoons

This is one of the most ancient ways of active fish capture.

Capture with spears and harpoons depends on visual observation of the target species, which

is then impaled by the spear or harpoon from a relatively short distance.

Target species

Common target species with this fishing method are flatfish, swordfish, tunas and whales.

2 .Trawls and dredges

Trawls and dredges are often called towed gear or dragged gear.

Target species

Beam trawls are mainly used for catching flatfishes such as plaice and sole as well as for

different species of shrimp. Dredges are commonly used for harvesting scallops, clams and

mussels. Demersal otter and pair trawls are used to catch a great variety of target species like

cod, haddock, hake, sandeel, flatfish, weakfish, croakers as well as shrimps. Pelagic trawls

are used in the fisheries for various pelagic target species, like herring, mackerel, horse-

mackerel, blue whiting and pollock.

3. Seine nets

Catching principle

Seine netting (including two variations known as Danish seining and Scottish seining) can be

described as a combination of trawling and seining (see below). When setting the gear, the

first warp (rope) is attached to an anchor with a surface buoy (Danish seining) or a buoy only

(Scottish seining) and set in a semicircle. Then the seine bag is set before paying out the

second warp in another semicircle back to the buoy (attached to the anchor in Danish

seining). When the seine and warps have sunk to the bottom, the warps are hauled. As they

are tightened, the warps move inwards towards the centre line between the vessel and the

seine bag. Fish in the encircled area will then be herded towards the central part of the area.

As the warps are further tightened, the seine bag moves forward and catches the fish.

Target species

The seine net is still commonly used to catch different flatfishes such as plaice and sole, but

has in recent years become an important gear also for cod and other demersal target species.

4. Beach seines

The operation of beach seines is based on encircling fish schools by a netting wall, made of

webbing where the meshes are so small that the target species does not get entangled.

The beach seine is an ancient gear that is still widely used. The seine consists of a wall of

webbing, e.g. with a depth of 5m by 100m length, with an upper float line and a lower sinker

line. In principle a similar construction to the gillnet, but with smaller meshes so that the fish

is entrapped instead of being gilled or entangled. At either end of the seine there are long

warps (rope).

Target species:-Beach seines catch a variety of inshore fish species, both demersal and

pelagic.

5. Purse seines

The purse seine is used to encircle fish schools in mid-water, close to the surface, by a netting

wall with small meshes. The lower part of the net is then closed to prevent escapement by

diving.

5. Identification of closely similar fish

1.1. Katsuwonus pelamis (Balaya) and Thunnus albacores (Yellowfin tuna)

Balaya yellow fin tuna

Similarities

Both of them are belonged to the same family-Scombridae.

Presence of two dorsal fins.

First dorsal fin has spines and second dorsal fin has rays.

Presence of semidetached finlets on dorsal fin and anal fin.

Two operculum’s can be seen in both fishes

Differences

Katsuwonus pelamis(Balaya) Thunnus albacores(Yellowfin tuna)

Belly and sides are silvery with 4-6 Belly and sides with small silvery elongate

longitudinal bands. spots with a dark edge.

Fins and finlets are dark except the white

colour of anal finlets.

Fins mostly bright yellow with dark tips.

1.2. Sardinella melanura (Salaya) and Amblygaster sirm (Hurulla)

Salaya Hurulla

Similarities

Both are belonged in to the same family-Clupeidae

Similar in shape.

Presence of two operculums.

Presence of forked caudal fin.

Differences

Sardinella melanura.(Salaya) Sardinella melanura.(Salaya)

Abence of dark spots with the lateral line. Presence of about 15 dark spots with the lateral

line.

Tips of caudal lobes are deep black and

other fins are hyaline.

Fins are yellowish.

Rastrelliger kanagurta (Kumbalawa) and selar crumenophthalmus (balaya)

Similarities

Stream line body

Narrow caudal pedancle

Deeply forked caudal fin

Dissimilar characteristics

Differences

Rastrelliger kanagurta (Kumbalawa) Crumenoph thalmus (balaya)

Back is bluish green and silvery below with is

dark spots near the base of the dorsal fin

Back is bluish and silvery below

Prominent scutes are present on the lateral line

Dorsal and anal finlets present Finlets absent

6. Fish preservation methods

Fish Preservation

Fish preservation is the method of extending the shelf life of fish and other fishery products

by applying the principles of chemistry, engineering and other branches of science in order to

improve the quality of the products.

Preservation methods maintain the quality of fish for a longer period of time.

Kumbalawa Balaya

Proper steps in handling fresh fish

1. Avoid exposing the fish to sunlight. Keep them in a shaded area.

2. Ice the fish immediately after they are caught to lower their temperature.

3. Remove the gills and internal organs.

4. Avoid soaking the fish too long in the water after death as this easily spoils the fish.

5. Use mechanical refrigeration if there are facilities.

Methods of fish processing

a. Curing

b. Icing

c. Freezing

d. Canning

e. With the use of additives or chemicals

Fish curing is defined as the method of preserving fish by means of salting, drying, smoking

and pickling.

a. Salting — Salt is the preservative agent used to lengthen the shelf life of fish and fishery

products. This is used in almost all methods of preservation except in icing, refrigeration and

freezing.

Drying and Dehydration - Drying is the process in which moisture is removed by exposure

to natural air current as humidity is regulated by climatic condition. Dehydration is the

process of removing moisture with the use of mechanical device that provides artificial heat

for drying.

Canning

Canning is the packing of fish in airtight containers such as tin cans and glass jars, which prevent air

and microorganisms from entering. Through the heat processing, microbes inside the can are

destroyed, thus preventing spoilage under normal condition and allowing the fish to be stored for

longer periods. Sardines and salmon are the most commonly canned fish in the market.

Cooking

Cooking is the best way to prevent wastage or spoilage of fish. Cooking fish with vinegar,

like in paksiw, prolonged the period of preservation.

6. Quality of Fish

Fish is highly perishable food. Therefore the fish quality is very important before it is

consumed. The good quality fish give better taste and they are more nutritious. Low quality

fish may bring about series of health diseases that may even be fatal.

Quality is also important factor in limiting the demand of the fish. And it is also important to

gain consumer confidence and repeat sales.

The quality of a fish depends of the method of capture, preservation method, the time taken to

reach the consumer, etc.

The consumer should have the ability to identify good quality fish, when they are buying fish.

There are several features to identify good quality fish.

Factors Affecting Fish Quality

External condition

Shape

Fins

Scales and skin

Gills

Internal condition

Fat content

Colour and Pigment

Gaping

Texture

Blood spotting

Eating quality

Shelf-life

External appearance

Quality fish Spoiled fish

Characteristic pleasant odour

Bright and shining skin

Unpleasant odour

Skin is not shining

Eyes are bright,transparent and

bubble like

Eyes are flatten or sunken in to skin

Gills

Quality fish Spoiled fish

Gills are bright red Gills become browner ash and colous

faded

Mucoid fluid

Quality fish Spoiled fish

Mucoid layer on the skin is trans

parent

Not transparent and it turn into

milkish colour

Scales

Quality fish Spoiled fish

Colour is clear

Scales are strongly attached to the

skin

Faded colour

Scales are easily detache from skin

Body hardness

Quality fish Spoiled fish

Flesh is hard

When a small pressure is applied and

release,the mark will disappear

immidiatly

Flesh is soft

The pressing mark wii remain in the

body

Wounds or patches on skin

Quality fish Spoiled fish

More wounds

Low microbial activity

Less wounds

High microbial activity

8. Discussion

Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild.

Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping.

The term fishing may be applied to catching other aquatic animals such as mollusk’s,

cephalopods, crustaceans, and echinoderms. The term is not normally applied to catching

farmed fish, or to aquatic mammals, such as whales, where the term whaling is more

appropriate.

According to FAO statistics, the total number of commercial fishermen and fish farmers is

estimated to be 38 million. Fisheries and aquaculture provide direct and indirect employment

to over 500 million people.]in 2005, the worldwide per capita consumption of fish captured

from wild fisheries was 14.4 kilograms, with an additional 7.4 kilograms harvested from fish

farms. In addition to providing food, modern fishing is also a recreational pastime.

Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture segment is an imperative segment with huge potential to

further develop into a thriving segment of the fisheries industry. There is a need to increase

fish production in minor perennial reservoirs, seasonal tanks and brackish water bodies

through culture based fisheries. As the country has an abundance of inland water bodies in

almost every region private sector investments are encouraged in inland fisheries and

aquaculture. Private sector has the opportunity to engage in brackish water aquaculture,

culturing Shrimp, Prawns, crab for the export industry, which has a huge demand at present.

Thus private sector investments are encouraged in the export oriented culturing of ornamental

marine fish varieties, which also has a huge demand in the international market.

The fish prices fluctuate during different seasons. Some fish are more abundant in one season

and very scarce in another season. If it’s a period where certain fish are abundant, then their

prices go down and when they become scarce the prices shoot up. The prices are also

influenced by the preference of the people. Mostly the larger fishers are preferred so as a

result larger fishers are more expensive. It is believed that large fish are tastier than small

ones. During the natural disasters the fish prices are affected. The best example is the

Tsunami catastrophe. At that time fish consumption nearly fell down to zero. It took some

time for the people to resume back to consuming fish. Fish prices also go down when oil

spills occur in the nearby coast. Many fish die and start to float in the coastal areas. At such

times people refrain from buying fish.

There are some fish species that are not that valuable as fresh fish. That may be because they

are hard to cook or the flesh is not tasty. Fishermen tend to salt and dry these fishes so that

the prices of that fish go up. Kattawa is one of such example.

Changes in weather conditions and natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, frosts,

earthquakes or pestilence, may affect the cost and supply of commodities, ingredients and

raw materials, including fruits, vegetables, tomatoes, grain, beef, sugar and spices.

Additionally, these events can result in reduced supplies of raw materials, lower recoveries of

usable raw materials, higher costs of cold storage if harvests are accelerated and processing

capacity is unavailable or interruptions in our production schedules if harvests are delayed.

Competing manufacturers can be affected differently by weather conditions and natural

disasters depending on the location of their supplies or operations. Changes in the weather

may also change the thermoclines in which fish such as tuna may be located. If fish are

driven to lower thermoclines, it may be harder for fishermen to catch these fish, which could

reduce the supply of tuna. In addition, some scientists believe that the population of some

larger fish species has been depleted due to over fishing, potentially affecting the current and

future supply of tuna. If our supplies of raw materials are reduced, we may not be able to find

enough supplemental supply sources on favorable terms, if at all, which could impact our

ability to supply product to our customers and adversely affect our business, financial

condition and results of operations. Increased costs for raw materials could also adversely

affect our business, financial condition and results of operations

9. Reference:

http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Del_Monte_Foods_Company_%28DLM%29/Changes_Weathe

r_Conditions_Natural_Disasters_Affect_Crop_Fish

http://regionalblog.chamber.lk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Fisheries-Sector-final-3.pdf

http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y3427e/y3427e04.htm#bm04.2

http://www.lib.utk.edu/newfoundpress/pubs/fishes/chp7.pdf

Contents

Acknowledgement

1. Introduction

2. Fish Species Sold By Fish Vendors

3. Fish Prices of Fish Market

4. Fishing Gears

4.1. Gill net

4.2. Hook and Line

4.3. Cast net

4.4. Trammel net

4.5. Fyke net

4.6. Seine Fishing

Purse seine

Beach seine

4.7. Trawling

5. Identification of closely similar fish

5.1. Katsuwonus pelamis (Balaya) and Thunnus albacores (Yellowfin tuna)

5.2. Sardinella melanura (Salaya) and Amblygaster sirm (Hurulla)

5.3. Rastrelliger kanagurta (Kumbalawa) and selar crumenophthalmus (balaya)

6. Fish preservation methods

7. Quality of Fish

8. Discussion

9. References

ZOOL 31013

FISHERIES BIOLOGY & MANAGEMENT

COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OF SRI LANKA

W.D.M.S.THILAKARATHNE

BS/2009/257

AKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere thankfulness to our lecture Prof. Amarasinghe for

conducting lecture series. Understanding and cheerful encourage not even throughout this

work, but all over our course unit

All the same I would like to thank all demonstrators and nonacademic staff

Of the department of Zoology for their unpredictable support on this work.

W.D.M.S.THILAKARATHNE