Abstract

The present study was carried out in Navanthurai fishing village with the objective of identifying socio economic problems related to livelihood of crab fishers and marketers. Primary data were gathered using a pre-tested questionnaire from 48 families and personal interviews. Mean age of crab fishers, retailers, auctioneers and wholesalers were 43.3, 47.5, 33 and 35.6 years, respectively. Among them, 20% of crab fishers and 12.5% of retailers have received only primary education (Grade 1 to 5) and all the wholesalers and auctioneers have completed above junior secondary education. Only 20.8% of crab fishers had their own crafts. Ownership of craft and the level of education were found to be significantly related to the income of crab fishers (P<0.01). Annual income of a fisher ranged between Rs.180,000.00 and Rs. 600,000.00. However, their monthly average crab harvest was 212.8 kg/person. Alcoholism, poor financial management and improper waste management were the major problems faced by the fishing community in the Navanthurai fishing village.

Highlights

  • Crabs have a higher consumer demand and fetch higher prices both locally and abroad

  • The objectives of the study were to find out general background and socio-economic status of crab fishers and marketers; to determine harvesting and processing details and to identify

  • MATERIALS AND METHODS A survey was carried out from March 2012 to February 2014, in Navanthurai Fishing Village situated in the southern border of Jaffna District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka, which lies between 80° 00’ E longitude and 9°40' N latitude

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Summary

Introduction

Crabs have a higher consumer demand and fetch higher prices both locally and abroad. Portunus pelagicus and Scylla serrata are economically important species caught in Jaffna and abundantly found in the coastal regions and in the Jaffna estuary and lagoons. Crabs play a vital role in the ecological balance and are an essential component in the coastal food-webs. Crab fisheries in Jaffna is ancient, while this industry is extremely popular among the smallscale fishers due to simple technology, low investment and high profit margins. Crab fisheries in Jaffna region is mainly the capturing crabs from saline resources and selling alive or as a frozen product both in the local and export markets, becoming an important foreign exchange earner. A significant number of fishers, traders and transporters in Jaffna are directly or indirectly involved in crab fisheries

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