Conservation of Mangroves and Coral Reefs in the coastal area, National Fisheries Solidarity Organization, NAFSO (Sri Lanka).

 

 

The community/organization and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

The National Fisheries Solidarity Organization (NAFSO) is a membership based fisheries organization with 9000 members in 12 coastal and 3 inland fishing areas in Sri Lanka. We have women, men and youth as our members. We are based in Negombo as the main office and we have 15 district offices. Though we focus our attention mainly on small-scale fishing, we are working with the women fish workers of a deep sea fishery too. Inland and coastal fishers, and the women of deep sea fisheries are the main members of our organizations.

Environmental conservation for the organization is how to use the resources in the environment to sustain them for transfer to the next generation to use.

 

Stewardship experience: Conservation of mangroves and coral reefs in the coastal area

 

The issue or problem being addressed

Destruction of mangroves and the conversion of those grounds into aquaculture farms. Also, the use of bottom trawling to catch prawns which destroys coral reefs and ecosystems. As a result of these combined issues, many fish nurseries and habitat areas have been lost and fish populations are at risk. 

 

The activities

We are attempting to conserve mangrove ecosystems and coral reefs from intensive aquaculture and also preventing bottom trawling in shallow water areas. We engage to push law enforcement, drafting and adopting necessary laws while advocating the government agencies. 

In 1997, we began to study and compile records of the destruction of mangroves. NAFSO began media work, advocated the necessity of protection with the government authorities, took legal actions, conducted mangrove replanting campaigns, and education programs with the communities. Community organization members attended the sessions and engaged with the material, then collectively approached the politicians to seek support. Community leaders found some ways to prevent the destruction and protect the grounds, both coral and mangroves. Women were engaged in the learning process and also community mobilizations for tree planting and protection.  Youth were the main group we worked with in the conservation programs. Our youth team, Youth Movement for Environment and Social change [YMESOC], has a sub section for youth for peace and reconciliation efforts called Unity 4 Humanity, though this same group works for environmental aspects too. They have been an important group who have assisted throughout environmental programs such as planting mangroves, and tree planting programs in various communities.

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

We experienced the recovery of the ecosystem in coastal areas once we began to replant the mangroves. The regenerative capacity of the ecosystem was experienced and we expect the fish catch will be increased both in the lagoon and in coastal fisheries.

We expect sustainable livelihoods will be supported through the healing of the ecosystem, and due to increased community-level awareness of the need to protect these environments. We expect the increased income and stability would reduce the poverty among the coastal communities. These efforts will help to ensure food security as the women in mangrove areas engage themselves for collection of prawns to ensure food security and some income.

 

Some lessons learned or words of wisdom 

We work with youth and bring them in to the conservation and protection programs. Youth are the future of the country. Utilize the potential in them. 

 

“The community organization is very much attached to nature as they are depending on the resources. Once the community enhances their knowledge and skills the people would engage with sustainable use of the resources. This emphasizes the need for further leadership development and capacity building of the communities … Bringing people together for collective understanding and action is the challenge.”

 

 

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