News
Fishing in polluted waters
Fishing in the Beira Lake is no breaking news story. Not very long ago, fishing for what is popularly known as ‘Beira Batto’ was a leisure time activity or for personal consumption. But today, fishing in this polluted lake has become a lucrative business. Fish caught in these filthy waters are today supplied to small eating houses, food carts, and served as a fried delicacy.
M.Karuna, a resident from Slave Island said daily around 20 – 30 men fish in the unhygienic waters of this lake. ”They often target low-income families with young children. With the price of fish in the markets beyond the reach of poorer folk, many tend to purchase this fish,” she said.
![Beira-Lake--1](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130901/uploads/Beira-Lake-1.jpg)
Fishing in the polluted waters of the Beira Lake has now become a lucrative business
![Beira-Lake-2](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130901/uploads/Beira-Lake-2.jpg)
Around 30 - 40 people fish in these murky waters daily
![Beira-Lake-3](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130901/uploads/Beira-Lake-3.jpg)
With the cost of fish skyrocketing, poorer families are forced to purchase this unhygienic product
![Beira-Lake-4](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130901/uploads/Beira-Lake-4.jpg)
Earlier fishing at the Beira was a leisure-time activity
![Beira-Lake-5](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130901/uploads/Beira-Lake-5.jpg)
The 'Beira Batto' are often supplied to food carts and small eating houses