Bottom Trawling in Palk Bay Area: Human and Environmental Implications

Abstract

Sri Lanka is an island positioned in a geo strategically decisive point in the Indian Ocean. Palk bay is a shallow and narrow strip of water between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, Palk Bay has a rich ecosystem which is being progressive environmental attenuation due to bottom trawling. Elimination of bottom trawling in fishing is needed to save that rich ecosystem in Palk bay. It is important to suggest environmental healthy fishing practices and to inspire the dependent families of bottom trawling to enter into substitute job opportunities. Bottom trawling leads to many problems in whole ecological structure and life below water. Since a large number of people in Sri Lanka are committed in this fishing practice, this directly affects moreover the whole Sri Lankan Northern livelihood. This research will debate on seriousness of banning bottom trawling and explore lasting solutions that would aid environment as well as livelihood of people in Sri Lanka. The research design to be carried out by analysing existing literature subjective to qualitative analysis. Empirical studies carried out by the statistics and data published by recognized institutions. Qualitative data would be collected from individuals such as academics and policy makers. Data collection would be semi-structured interviews done informally.