Impacts of Tsunami and Security Situations on Marine Fisheries of Kinniya, Trincomalee

Abstract

Kinniya is one of the 11 Divisional Secretary Divisions in Trincomalee district populated with more than 96% of Muslims. Geographical location of Kinniya around Thampalakamam bay and Koddyar bay provides a lucrative livelihood for ⅓rd of its total population via marine fisheries. Thampalakamam bay is a brackish water resource with diversified aquatic biota which facilitates coastal fisheries while the Koddyar bay facilitates offshore and deepsea marine fisheries. Significant irreparable reduction in fish production was observed from 2005 onwards, especially in Kinniya, irrespective of regrowth in fish production in other regions of Trincomalee district afterwards. Hence, a study was conducted with preliminary data collected through participatory appraisal with stakeholders of Kinniya fishing community to objectively test the root cause of continued reduction in fish catch. According to the study, associated location of Kinniya adjacent to Mullaitivu district facilitated the infiltration of terrorists into the natural harbour and military bases located in both bays. Preventive security measures imposed by the military against terrorists caused restrictions on Kinniya fishermen with regard to fishing time, fishing area and usage of motorized fishing fleet. Aftermath of these restrictions led to various biologically destructive livelihood activities inside and outside the two bays. Also, the effect of Tsunami in 2004 aggravated the already deteriorated livelihood of fisherfolks in Kinniya. Before these restrictions, Kinniya fishermen went in search of fish all around the two bays but at the moment they are waiting until fish come to their sites. This major change reduced the fish catch dramatically in Kinniya, especially due to overfishing, co-effects of civil war, location of harbour, anthropogenic effects and tsunami devastation. Ultimately, an environmentally sound and socially peaceful fishery of Kinniya was converted into environmentally and socially deteriorated fisheries.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v21i1.2589Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 21(1): 80-88 (2009)