Gaps hindering the objectives of fisheries co-management mechanisms in Sri Lanka

The fisheries industry in Sri Lanka plays a vital role in nutritional and food security, job creation, and foreign revenue earnings. Co-management is an important strategy for sustainable fisheries management, where fishers, government bodies, and other stakeholders work together. This study aimed to identify gaps affecting the achievement of 17 FAO good practice indicators related to social and economic goals and objectives of co-management in Sri Lanka's coastal fisheries sector. A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select participants: two Fisheries Management Areas were randomly selected from 18 existing areas, followed by three Fisheries Management Committees from each of the chosen Fisheries Management Areas. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire administered to 115 fishers, representing a 40 percent sample of the total membership across six selected Fisheries Management Committees. A desk study of existing laws and regulations, two focus group discussions, and 30 key-informant interviews with officers from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, scientists, leading fishermen, and academics were conducted. The study revealed significant gaps affecting the successful implementation of co-management. Key findings include the absence of comprehensive fisheries management and development plans, low participation of women, youth, and other marginalized groups, limited involvement of state and non-state agencies beyond the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and weak linkages between co-management programs and economic benefits for fishers. To address these issues, the study recommends prioritizing the development of comprehensive co-management plans, actively involving all stakeholders, including women, youth, and marginalized groups, and creating co-management platforms that accommodate the diverse interests of all stakeholders.