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Netting profits the traditional way
View(s):With the high cost of expenditure for fuel and the government’s inability to implement a fuel subsidy scheme for fishermen, many
The high cost of fuel and no fuel subsidy scheme has given rise to traditional fishing methods
fishermen now opt to use traditional fishing methods, without going out to sea.
Fishermen in the Puttalam district use the traditional nets known as ‘Madel’ for fishing and say that the cheaper method nets them higher profits.
Some 40 labourers draw the fishing nets ashore after they are laid in the sea.
“We are getting bigger profits these days and many of the families are benefiting from this system’, said Jude Michael, 47 from Udappuwa.
At least 40 labourers are used to pull in the nets
A few weeks ago fishermen in the Puttalam district staged a protest, marching against the failure to implement the fuel subsidy scheme promised to fishermen.
However President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that there was evidence of abuse in the system of obtaining the fuel subsidy and lorry owners in Anuradhapura had obtained the subsidy.
But fishermen point out that it was the failure of the authorities to properly implement the scheme and they should take on the responsibility of ensuring that there are no misuses within the system.
Story and pix by Augustin Fernando
 Fishermen and their families are benefiting from the cheaper system |
 Puttalam fishermen using 'Madel' nets |
 Cheaper methods of fishing means larger profits for the fishermen |
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