Dr. KHML Amaralal has been serving as the Deputy Director General, Research and Development of National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and has over 25 years of experience. He holds a PhD degree in fisheries Economics, M.Sc. in International Fisheries Management, PG Dip. In Fisheries Policy & Planning and has contributed many national and international peer reviewed publications in the fields of fisheries socio-economics, policy and planning and management. He served as the technical head of Sri Lankan delegate for the ministerial conference on blue economy held in Bangladesh and member of several delegates for trade policies for Belarus and Vietnam. He has contributed immensely for the sustainable development of fisheries industry of the country.

Broadening the participation of youth and women in fishing communities has become a critical goal for sustainable fisheries worldwide. This article highlights present status and future prospects of women and youth in fisheries with special reference to Sri Lanka. Historically, the fisheries sector has been male-dominated, with women’s contributions often confined to pre- and post-harvest roles and youth increasingly turning away from fishing livelihoods. This imbalance not only undermines social equity and successors into the industry. Globally, an estimated 45 million women participate in small-scale fisheries. FAO reports that women comprise roughly 50% of the fisheries and aquaculture workforce when all segments of the value chain are included. Many fishing communities face fewer young people enter to the industry. Youth often perceive fishing as a difficult and less rewarding livelihood. In many countries, young people from fishing families are opting for education and jobs outside their communities rather than continue fishing, due to the physically demanding work, safety risks, and relatively low income associated with small-scale fishing resulted in looming labor shortage and succession problem in fisheries: without renewal by younger generations, traditional knowledge and skills may be lost and the viability of fishing communities can be declined. Around the world, youth often face lack capital, land, or boat ownership opportunities to start fishing or aquaculture ventures. Overall, the global situation is characterized by a substantial but undervalued presence of women in fisheries, and an insufficient participation of youth, portending demographic challenges for the sector’s future.

Globally, there is growing momentum to promote gender equity and youth engagement in fisheries. International policies and frameworks in recent years explicitly call for inclusivity in fishing communities. A landmark is the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VG-SSF) adopted in 2014. These guidelines place strong emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion as core principles for sustainable fisheries. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for instance, include targets on gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work for youth (SDG 8), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) now often references the need for inclusive management. There are initiatives like young fishermen programs and vocational education in fisheries.

Sri Lanka is an island nation located in Indian ocean. For centuries, Sri Lanka has lived by the ocean-its stories, its people and its spirit deeply tied to maritime life. Today, that legacy powers a new era of ocean excellence. A slightly over 300,000 active fishers are engaged in fisheries using with an array of vessels and fishing gear technologies in the country as of recent years. Women’s participation in fishing varies by sub-sector: it is limited in marine capture fishing but more significant in inland fisheries, aquaculture, and post-harvest activities. In Sri Lanka’s small-scale fisheries (SSF) communities, women play invisible roles and are essential to the sector’s survival. Women’s contributions are often informal and thus underappreciated in official narratives. On the ground, women are often excluded from formal decision-making bodies like fisheries cooperative societies – these co-ops and management committees are usually dominated by men, which limits women’s voice in resource governance and access to certain benefits. 

Sri Lanka is a youthful nation – about 27% of the population is aged 15–29 but the fishing workforce is aging. Many young people are hesitant to pursue fishing as a livelihood due to lack of skills, physical hardships, earnings have become unreliable and the work may lack the allure that salaried or urban jobs hold for the younger generation. On the other hand, many young people see their parents or elders barely breaking even, and thus they seek alternative livelihoods. However, alternatives in coastal regions are limited and not all find stable jobs. 

Overall, current trends in Sri Lanka show gradual progress: women are organizing and gaining empowerment through groups and targeted programs, and there is at least a conversation started about how to draw youth into the sector. Yet, these trends are at an early stage. The trends, however, lay the groundwork for more systematic changes, which will be necessary to truly broaden participation.

Driving the Future: Broadening the participation of Women Youth and in fishing communities in Sri Lanka

→ Please Ask Questions to the Speaker