Impact of Introduction of Culture Based Fisheries on Fish Production in two perennial reservoirs in Sri Lanka

 

Author(s): Pushpalatha K.B.C, Fernando W.A.J.R, Chandrasoma J.

Abstract: Sri Lanka is blessed with a large number of irrigation reservoirs. In this paper impact of introduction of CBF on fish production in two perennial reservoirs, namely Senanayake Samudra (7793 ha.) and Jayanthi wewa (1012 ha.) are assessed. Average stocking rates were 192 and 804/ha./year in Senanayake Samudra (SS) and Jayanthi Wewa (JW) respectively. Introduction of CBF into SS resulted in a significant increase in fish production from 111.8 m. tons/annum to 614.9 m.tons in 2013. Similarly fish production in JW increased from 32.0 m.tons to 189.3 m. tons. Fish production per unit area in SS and JW increased to 78.0 and 187.0 kg./ha/yr/in 2013 from 14.3 and 31.6 kg/ha/yr. respectively. Nile Tilapia was the dominant fish species contributing 80 – 90% to the total catch in both reservoirs prior to the introduction of CBF. Although landings of Nile Tilapia increased by 74.7% and 287.6%, contribution of Nile Tilapia decreased to 64.6% and 57.1% respectively in SS and JW. Contribution of stocked carp species to the total catch were 29.0% and 37.0% respectively in SS and JW. Biomass gain of fish obtained per 100 fingerlings of Nile Tilapia, Catla, Rohu and FWP in SS were 85.6, 26.2, 13.1 and 0.2 kg respectively, while that of JW 43.1, 45.2, 32.2, and 2.80 kg. Role of CBO’s in implementation of CBF and the fisheries management measures introduced are also discussed.

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