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This paper discusses the benefits of intensive farming of
the giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon in Sri Lanka in relation
to the environmental costs. Shrimp farming has developed
from scratch to a formidable position in terms of the volume
and value of output and its contribution to the country’s
foreign exchange earnings, within a short time span of one
and a half decades. The shrimp farming industry has gradually
developed into a position of pre-eminence within the fisheries
and aquatic resources sector. The industry has generated
8,000 direct employment while around 40,000 people have
benefited from direct employment created by shrimp farming
in rural areas. The industry has contributed significantly
to the development of the physical and social infrastructure
facilities in the coastal villages in the NWP.
The expansion of the shrimp industry in the NWP, while
bringing economic benefits, has also created environmental
problems. After years of uncurtailed exploitation, the renewable
resources and productivity of the coastal ecosystem in the
Puttalam district have come under severe strain. Destruction
of the mangrove resources, declining water quality of waterbodies
in the shrimp farming zones, salinization of soil and water,
indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, excessive extraction
of groundwater and self pollution have contributed to environmental
degradation and a decline in natural productivity of the
area.
There is much resentment on the part of the local community,
as their traditional user rights are no longer respected
and their legitimate beach-based activities have been hampered
by the shrimp industry. Consequently, several resource user
conflicts have emerged and these have been accompanied by
much social strife in the area. The current situation with
shrimp farms in the NWP can be seen as yet another example
of the state allowing and assisting in common property resources
being converted into private property. The paper concludes
with recommendations for improving the North Western Province
and general recommendation for a national shrimp policy.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Overview of the Shrimp Industry
- Comparative Economic Analysis
- Impacts and Issues Relating to Shrimp Farming Industry
in Sri Lanka
- Conclusions
- Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Development
of the Shrimp Farming Industry in Sri Lanka
- References
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