Application of a community-based management approach for sustainable governance of kraal (Ja-kotu) fisheries in Sri Lanka

The institutional robustness of the community-based management systems of the kraal (Ja-kotu) fisheries in Madu ganga, Bolgoda lake, and Jaffna lagoon in Sri Lanka were assessed for compliance with Ostrom’s modified design principles through the utilization of their knowledge in resource management. Out of the total number of 38, 8, and 3,000 fishers from Madu ganga, Bolgoda lake, and Jaffna lagoon respectively, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 90%, 88%, and 10% of the fishers, and focus group discussions (n = 10) were conducted over a period of one year. The socio-demographic profiles of Ja-kotu fishers in the three places indicated that most of the fishers were in the >40 years of age group, respectively, with at least 41% of fishers in the three places having over 20 years of experience in fishing. In Bolgoda lake, many fishers (57%) have sufficient formal education (up to GCE: Ordinary Level). Almost all the fishers interviewed, 94%, 71%, and 98% of fishers in Madu ganga, Bolgoda lake, and Jaffna lagoon, stated that the ownership of the Ja-kotu fishery was passed down from generation to generation. Individual fishers voluntarily monitored fishing activities and resources, and there were strong mechanisms to share the cost among fishers in three places proportionally. Though there is no proper legislation to define user boundaries for Ja-kotu fishers in all places, the multi-layer institutional structure of Ja-kotu fishers in the Jaffna lagoon was comparatively strong enough to support their decision-making process. After declaring Madu ganga as a Ramsar wetland site, the traditional community rights and institutional structures of Ja-kotu fishers are not supported by responsible fishery management mechanisms. The customary institutions unveil the general weakness of key interactions with organizations, suggesting that a community needs strong institutional support to face socioeconomic, political, and institutional challenges to govern common pool resources.