The Declining Pole and Line Fishery in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Pole and line fishing, which is specifically aimed at skipjack tuna has been practised in Sri Lanka for about 70 years. Originally, this method was popular amongst fishermen in the southern coast, and was later expanded to the eastern coast by migrant fishermen from the southern coast. In early 1960's the pole and linecatcn contributed over 40% to the total tuna production in Sri Lanka. However, over the last 2-3 decades, the pole and line fishery has fallen to a relatively low level of significance. in early 1960's, the fishing effort by pole and line was about 21% of the total fishing effort on tunas in the southern coast. It is now reduced to about 7 %. The catch rates also show a decline by about 50%from 1960's to 1980's. The total production of pole and line fishery during early 1960's was 1200-2400 tonnes per annum, equivalent to 60% of the tunaproduction. The present production of 1057MT is equivalent to about 7%of the tuna production in tne region. The decline is due to variousfactors such as limited supply of live bail, introduction ofdrift gillnets, scarcity of surface tuna schools etc.