Socioeconomic conditions of traditional fishing community of Oluvil, Ampara district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Oluvil during the period of 2000. The socioeconomic data of randomly selected 95 fishermen was obtained through pre-tested structured questionnaire, in-depth guided interview and observation. Descriptive analysis of the direct social demography was done using SPSS. All of the fishermen interviewed were Sri Lankan Muslims (97%) and Sri Lankan Tamils (3%), 97% of the fishermen interviewed in Oluvil belong to the Islam and the rest of them to Hindu. 33 fishermen (35%) were between 36 to 45 years old, 21 fishermen (22%) were between 15 – 25 years, 22 fishermen (23%) were between 26-35 and the remaining fishermen were more than 46 years old. A family size is 6.4 persons in a single family. In the fisher folk, 55 fishermen (58%) completed primary education. 3 fishermen (3%) did not go to the school. One fisherman had received a secondary level of education. Education of the menfolk is high compared to the female. 51% f wives of the fishermen received primary education. 16% f them did not go to school. About 94% of the children received education. Most (97%) of the fishermen are working under the Mudalalies and others having own gears. This survey revealed that the fishermen used gillnets (42%), beach sein (39%), hook and lines (17%) and cast net (4%). The production of fish was 50 - 150 kg per day during peak period and 20 – 50 kg during the off season. Daily fishing average income fluctuate between 250 – 500 SLR during the peak period.Further, this study addressed the species composition of fish, environmental issues and constraints in the fishing community, and suggest the potential management options.