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Pirainila Krishnarajah

The story of Kurunagar Fisherfolk in crisis

Kurunagar is a coastal village in Jaffna, in the north of Sri Lanka. It is a densely populated place, where according to government population register, around 2300 families have taken up in fishing as their main profession.

While all sections of people and vocations face serious challenges in the current economic crisis in the country, the difficulties encountered by the fishing communities in their occupation and day to day life are worse due to the shortage of fuel. The suffering is intense in the case of the Kurunagar fisherfolk. — While all sections of people and vocations face serious challenges in the current economic crisis in the country, the difficulties encountered by the fishing communities in their occupation and day to day life are worse due to the shortage of fuel. The suffering is intense in the case of the Kurunagar fisherfolk.

© Pirainila Krishnarajah

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The Kurunagar community, having 400 trawlers and 375 small boats, now deploy only 200 deep-seatrawlers and 120 small boats. Once in 10 days, or whenever the tanker comes only, they get diesel and kerosine (Info: Kurunagar Fisheries Society). — The Kurunagar community, having 400 trawlers and 375 small boats, now deploy only 200 deep-seatrawlers and 120 small boats. Once in 10 days, or whenever the tanker comes only, they get diesel and kerosine (Info: Kurunagar Fisheries Society).

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Due to the current situation, they spend around Rs 37,000 per trip for fuel and food. Small boats need an average of 50-60 litres of kerosine, but they get only 20 litres, that too occasionally. Unable to pursue their profession, many have left fishing and have gone for other jobs. — Due to the current situation, they spend around Rs 37,000 per trip for fuel and food. Small boats need an average of 50-60 litres of kerosine, but they get only 20 litres, that too occasionally. Unable to pursue their profession, many have left fishing and have gone for other jobs.

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Responding to kerosine shortage and its black-market price, which is about Rs600-1000 per litre, some have triedfitting the boats with petrol engines as an alternative, but there were instances that such engines soon became inflammable. — Responding to kerosine shortage and its black-market price, which is about Rs600-1000 per litre, some have triedfitting the boats with petrol engines as an alternative, but there were instances that such engines soon became inflammable.

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Economic crisis has affected their family life too.Accustomed mainly to seafood, they now go through changes in food habits. Education of children is affected because of poverty arising from the lack of steady income in fisheries. As kerosine is given only for the boats, severe mental stress sets in when deprived of cooking at home and when there is power cut. Congested living space prevents them from using firewood as an alternative to gas or other fuel. — Economic crisis has affected their family life too.Accustomed mainly to seafood, they now go through changes in food habits. Education of children is affected because of poverty arising from the lack of steady income in fisheries. As kerosine is given only for the boats, severe mental stress sets in when deprived of cooking at home and when there is power cut. Congested living space prevents them from using firewood as an alternative to gas or other fuel.

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Prawns are their main income-fetching item.Fish and prawn catch is now depleted, but ice is needed even to preserve the meagre supply. Since there is no 24-hours electricity, only half-formed ice is available, and this affects processing and export. Due to reduction in deep-sea fishing, formerly neglected small species of fishes are now consumed and they too aresold for a higher price. — Prawns are their main income-fetching item.Fish and prawn catch is now depleted, but ice is needed even to preserve the meagre supply. Since there is no 24-hours electricity, only half-formed ice is available, and this affects processing and export. Due to reduction in deep-sea fishing, formerly neglected small species of fishes are now consumed and they too aresold for a higher price.

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Besides, many workers depending on fisheries, such as fish cutters and small-scale venders alsoundergo social and livelihood struggle. — Besides, many workers depending on fisheries, such as fish cutters and small-scale venders alsoundergo social and livelihood struggle.

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Already endangered by an afflicted sea that is 82 percent polluted by plastic waste, and now subjected to this massive economic catastrophe, the question looms large how Kurunagar is going to progress its fisheries, future and posterity. — Already endangered by an afflicted sea that is 82 percent polluted by plastic waste, and now subjected to this massive economic catastrophe, the question looms large how Kurunagar is going to progress its fisheries, future and posterity.

© Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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Capturing the Current, submission by Pirainila Krishnarajah — © Pirainila Krishnarajah

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