Abstract:
Inland fisheries exist in a natural area such as streams, rivers, swamps, lakes,
and inland seas, in temporary water bodies such as floodplain and seasonal
ponds, and also in artificial and modified habitats such as irrigation systems,
rice paddies, reservoirs, and enclosed natural water bodies. This study was an
attempt to identify the effective methods of inland fishery management in the
Nachchaduwa tank of North Central Province to increase fish yield. Both
primary and secondary data used to fulfil the objective of the study. The
primary data collection got three steps process; I) walk in the field and observe
the data II) by using questionnaires from simple random sampling and III)
from non- structured interviews. The secondary data were collected by the
National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA), The
National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and
Nachchaduwa tank society. The fish yield of the Nachchaduwa tank decreased
directly through the illegal fishing methods, further non-organic fertilizers use
in cultivation, use of Monofilament nets, Angle, seasonal changes of the
climate and lack of knowledge among communities. Also, this has affected
the yield of the fish species population. Hence, to increase the fish species
population the essential fact is Fish Cultivation. The Nachchaduwa tank 1440
hectares and it can hold 10000 fish population per hectare. In total, this tank
can be transferred to habitat for 14.4 Mn fish population. However, at present,
the tank has provided for nearly 0.3 Mn fish population per year. But this is
far below the potential’s capacity of the tank. So, this indicates the needs of
increasing the fish population and sustainable fisheries management of
Nachchaduwa tank, Therefore, result of the study explain that the Water Base
Mini Haturey (WBMH) is highly important in addition to awareness
programs, Mud Ponds are affected to increase the fish yield of Nachchaduwa
tank.
