Today the group of 12 students visited the fishing village of Gandara on the South West coast of Sri Lanka with the previous chairman of Ruhuna University and his son. On our arrival we were met by the President of Sarvodaya village bank who welcomed us into her home for a cup of tea. The previous chairman of Ruhuna University discussed with her our plans for the fishing community research and whether it would be possible for us to speak with several families in the village to discuss their livelihoods. She was very interested to hear of our plans for the research in the village and introduced us to a family to speak with. We had a very interesting conversation with several fishermen. They informed us that there are around 100 multi-day boats in the village and 25-30 half day boats. A multi-day boat is used when the fishermen go to sea for up to 6 weeks at a time. The boat owner provides all of the necessary items and fishing equipment to fish, such as a telephone, radio, satellite, compass, first aid kit. The fishermen pay the boat owner a fee for this, as well as to cover maintenance, food and fuel costs. Each multi-day boat can hold around 3500 kilos of fish that are stored below deck and kept cool and fresh using refrigerators and ice. The fishermen showed us the modern equipment that they use to fish which allows them to select each tuna individually; a technique that is more sustainable and less destructive to the fishing habitats than illegally using particular fishing nets where up to 50% of the fish caught is wasted. The fishermen told us that they go to sea for up to six weeks in one period, after which they return home to see their families for one week. After this, they go back to sea to fish for another 6 weeks. The fishermen work in groups of five and take with them the necessary provisions to stay at sea for this length of time.
The fishermen told us that problems of overfishing have meant that they have to spend longer periods of time away at sea to fish. Environmental conditions have also affect their livelihoods such as a rough sea that prevents the fishermen from working and bringing home an income. The families prepare for these times by economizing their income when there is a good catch, leaving the profits with their spouses to manage for periods when there is a rough sea or bad season when they catch fewer fish. During periods of financial difficulty, members of the local Sarvodaya society can take out a loan from the Sarvodaya village bank while some families may have to re-mortgage their houses.

The fishermen told us that they do not feel the passage of time and described the activities that they undertake daily whilst they are away, which includes collecting fish, mending fishing equipment, watching videos and playing cards. They are able to easily communicate with their families at home whilst they are away using a telephone. When asked if they ever have to take time off work due to ill health, the fishermen told us that they are rarely ever sick as they eat a good fish diet and they are strong and able to withstand the rigours of the sea!

I found it very interesting to learn more about the fishing industry and I was very surprised to hear how long the fishermen spend away from their families. I would like to find out more about each individuals everyday experiences and the practicalities involved in sustaining a livelihood from fishing as well as the support networks available in the fishing community for periods such as a bad season. I am looking forward to interviewing the fishermen’s wives in the village next week and I hope to find out more about their experiences of managing household tasks and looking after their children and elders whilst their husbands are away for such long periods of time. Furthermore, I hope to find out more about the impacts that the tsunami has had on the fishing industry, the fishing community in the village and on each families and individuals livelihoods.