About this book:

*Maritime Fisheries of Sri Lanka: Sustainability, Policy, and Coastal Livelihoods* offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary examination of one of Sri Lanka's most vital sectors. This essential volume delves into the intricate socio-ecological systems of the island's small-scale fisheries, which are crucial for food security, employment, and cultural identity. Addressing critical challenges such as overexploitation, habitat degradation, climate change, and market pressures, the book synthesizes biological stock assessments, socio-economic surveys, and policy analyses to present evidence-based pathways towards resilient and sustainable fisheries governance.

This book meticulously explores various facets of Sri Lanka's maritime environment, from its dynamic oceanography and vital habitats like coral reefs and mangroves, to the diverse species that underpin its commercial fisheries, including tuna, shrimp, and reef fish. It provides in-depth analyses of traditional and modern fishing gear, the imperative of bycatch reduction, and the strategic implementation of spatial management tools like Marine Protected Areas. Crucially, the text emphasizes the transformative potential of co-management models, advocating for shared governance that integrates invaluable traditional ecological knowledge with scientific approaches, fostering community rights and empowering local fishers. Furthermore, it tackles the economic and social dimensions of fisheries, discussing value chains, market dynamics, post-harvest practices, and the critical importance of livelihood diversification to enhance resilience against climate change and market volatility. The book also highlights issues of social equity, ensuring the inclusion of women and youth in coastal livelihoods and decision-making. Through regional case studies from across Sri Lanka's coastal districts, the book illuminates the localized challenges and innovative solutions on the ground, providing practical insights applicable throughout the Indian Ocean region. Concluding with actionable policy recommendations, implementation pathways, and measurable metrics for success, *Maritime Fisheries of Sri Lanka* is an indispensable resource for practitioners, managers, policymakers, and researchers seeking to navigate the complex journey towards long-term ecological and social resilience in small-scale fisheries.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Explore the unique oceanography, critical marine habitats (coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass), and diverse fish stocks that define Sri Lanka's rich maritime environment and underpin its fisheries.
• Understand the profound socioeconomic importance of small-scale fisheries in Sri Lanka, their historical and cultural dimensions, and the vital, often undervalued, roles of women and youth in coastal livelihoods.
• Learn about essential fisheries management tools, including stock assessment methods for multi-species fisheries, gear types and bycatch reduction strategies, and the design and implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and no-take zones.
• Discover the benefits of co-management models, which empower fishing communities through shared governance, and examine how national laws, regional agreements, and innovative monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) tools shape sustainable fisheries policy.
• Investigate the profound impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on coastal communities and ecosystems, and explore practical strategies for livelihood diversification, adaptive governance, and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with modern science to build resilience for an uncertain future.

Who's It For:

This book is essential for policymakers, fisheries managers, conservation practitioners, and researchers working on marine resource governance in Sri Lanka and other tropical island nations. It also serves as a valuable resource for students, NGOs, and community leaders seeking a multidisciplinary understanding of sustainable small-scale fisheries, coastal livelihoods, and climate change adaptation.