Figure 1
Dynamic scheme of access and collective action in a transboundary fisheries context.
Table 1
Fishing activity details of an average FRP fishing boata in three North Sri Lankan villages.
| Munai | Karainagar | Pesalaib | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of fishing families | 440 | 135 | 622 |
| No. of FRP boats (not all active) | 210 | 43 | 230 |
| Frequency of fishing (trips/boat/year) | 119 | 221 | 190 |
| Catch volume (tons/boat/year) | 9.12 | 7.36 | 181 |
| Sardine/herring as % of annual catch volume | 30 | 76 | 94 |
| Catch value – fuel costs (USD/boat/year) | 7092–1633−5459 (2–3 fishers) | 8502–1845−6657 (2–3 fishers) | 24,639–12,157−12,482 (5–8 fishers) |
Source: author's data collection.
aFiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats (18 feet) with outboard engines (9–25 hp) are the most commons boats used in Northern Sri Lanka.
bThe significantly higher figures in Pesalai are the result of purse seining. Higher fuel and labour costs make that per capita incomes are similar to the other two villages.
Figure 2
Graphical representation of the Palk Bay. The dotted arrows represent the origin and direction of Indian trawlers.14 The rectangles indicate three case study villages.
Source: modified from University of Jaffna, Dept. of Geography.
Table 2
Instances of collective agitation by North Sri Lankan fishers (2011–2013).
| Date | Instances of collective agitation |
|---|---|
| Feb-11 | Point Pedro and Mathagal fishermen apprehend 25 Indian trawlers |
| Feb-11 | Fishermen demonstrate in front of Jaffna's Indian High Commission against Indian trawlers |
| Mar-11 | Fisher leaders hand over petition to Indian High Commission and hold press conference |
| Sep-11 | Mannar fishermen protest against Indian trawlers and hold press conference |
| Oct-11 | Media briefing regarding Indian trawlers problem by Mannar fishers |
| Oct-11 | Fisher leaders meeting in Jaffna North to plan large demonstration |
| Oct-11 | Jaffna fisher leaders write letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister |
| Nov-11 | Point Pedro fishers try to hijack trawlers but get arrested by SL navy |
| Dec-11 | Mannar FCS protest and strike regarding fishing pass and trawler encroachment |
| Jan-12 | Jaffna leaders hand over petition to former Indian president Abdul Kalam |
| Feb-12 | Fishermen from Northern Jaffna strike regarding fuel price hike |
| Feb-12 | Demonstration against Indian trawlers in Mannar, geared at Gov. Agent and Fisheries Dept. |
| Apr-12 | Demonstration in Jaffna North with 14 FCS against Indian trawlers |
| Nov-12 | Demonstration by Jaffna district fishers in front of IHC and District Secretariat |
| Jan-13 | Fisher leaders explain their plight to French ambassador |
| Feb-13 | Mannar cooperatives organize protest against Indian trawlers |
| Mar-13 | Mannar Union holds demonstration against local and foreign destructive fishing practices |