From canoe to blue economy: What history teaches us about future

• The next transformation should not simply be about catching more (fish). It should be about creating greater value with less waste, protecting ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods and ensuring fishing communities have a meaningful place in the blue economy. Perhaps the most enduring lesson from fisheries history is also the simplest: The sea can support generations - but only if each generation leaves enough for the next

For an island nation such as Sri Lanka, fisheries have never been simply an industry. Long before the language of the blue economy, ocean governance and sustainable fisheries entered policy discussions, coastal communities already understood the value of the sea. It provided food, employment, income and facilitated trade, while also shaping community identity and ways of life. For many families, the sea has long been the foundation of their livelihoods.

Sri Lanka’s fisheries have changed considerably over generations. Traditional fishing communities relied on canoes, sailing craft, handlines, traps, nets and beach seines. Among these, the traditional Ma-del or beach-seine fishery has a particularly long history. According to the FAO, beach-seine fishing once accounted for more than 40% of Sri Lanka’s fish landings before the expansion of mechanised fishing (FAO, 2011). 

Mechanisation brought major changes. Motorised boats, synthetic nets, refrigeration and larger vessels enabled fishers to travel farther, remain at sea longer and connect with expanding markets. Production increased, but another lesson gradually became clear: greater fishing capacity does not automatically translate into long-term prosperity. Better boats and nets can catch more fish, but technology cannot replace depleted fish stocks. Overfishing, excessive fishing capacity and pressure on marine ecosystems have therefore become central concerns in modern fisheries management. 

Today, Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector remains economically and socially important. In 2024, total fish production was approximately 410,760 metric tonnes, including around 308,430 tonnes from marine fisheries and 102,330 tonnes from inland fisheries and aquaculture. Nearly 189,000 marine fishing households depended on the sector, while fisheries exports earned around $ 285 million (Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ministry, 2026). 

Yet fishing does not end when a boat reaches shore. Fish must be unloaded, sorted, cleaned, iced, dried, processed, transported and marketed. These activities are an important part of the fisheries economy and create value long after the catch is landed.

Another global lesson deserves greater attention: fisheries are not only a male domain. Women are active across the value chain, processing fish in West Africa, repairing nets and selling seafood in Mediterranean communities, trading fish in South Asia, and drying, salting and preparing fish across the Indian Ocean. Yet much of this work remains less visible in official statistics and decision-making. FAO notes that women’s participation becomes particularly significant when post-harvest fisheries are included (FAO, 2024). 

This matters for Sri Lanka as well. Fisheries policy should therefore look beyond boats and harvesting at sea and recognise the people who create value in markets, processing centres and fishing households.

The global fisheries economy is also changing. Aquaculture has become a major source of growth in aquatic food production, while wild capture fisheries face continuing pressure in many parts of the world. This does not mean aquaculture is automatically sustainable. Poorly managed aquaculture can also create pollution, habitat damage and conflicts over land and water. The lesson is straightforward: growth without good governance can simply create new problems. 

Regional experiences provide valuable lessons for Sri Lanka.

The Maldives shows that tradition can remain relevant in a modern fisheries economy. Its internationally recognised tuna sector still uses pole-and-line fishing, a highly selective method that limits unwanted bycatch. 

By combining traditional fishing practices with modern monitoring, traceability and sustainable fisheries management, the Maldives demonstrates that modernisation does not necessarily require abandoning traditional knowledge. 

Bangladesh offers a different lesson from its hilsa fishery. Seasonal fishing restrictions and sanctuaries were introduced to allow fish stocks to recover. But conservation measures also affected poor fishing families who depended on daily earnings. Food assistance, alternative livelihoods and greater community participation therefore became important elements of fisheries management. The experience demonstrates that conservation must protect ecosystems without neglecting the livelihoods of those expected to bear its costs. 

Cambodia reminds us that fisheries are not only about the sea. The Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong system support one of the world’s most important inland fisheries, providing food and livelihoods for many people. Community participation in managing fishing grounds also demonstrates the importance of connecting fisheries policy with freshwater ecosystems, wetlands and water management. For Sri Lanka, with its extensive reservoirs and inland fisheries, this lesson is especially important. 

Climate change adds another layer of uncertainty. Ocean warming, changing currents, extreme weather, coastal erosion and ecosystem degradation can affect both fish stocks and fishing livelihoods. If fish move farther offshore, fuel costs rise. If weather becomes more unpredictable, fishing days decline. When catches fall, the effects spread from boat crews to traders, processors and vendors. Climate adaptation must therefore become part of fisheries policy. 

So, what should Sri Lanka do? The country does not necessarily need to catch more fish to create more value. Greater attention should be given to value-added processing, improved cold chains, reduced post-harvest losses, quality standards, sustainable certification, branding, and traceability. Transforming fish into higher-value products can yield better returns from existing catches, create employment, and reduce pressure to continually increase harvesting. Science must guide stock management. 

Small-scale fishing communities must participate in decision-making. Women’s contributions across the fisheries value chain must be recognised. Inland fisheries and aquaculture should complement marine fisheries. Technology should improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability rather than simply increase fishing capacity.

Sri Lanka has already moved from traditional Ma-del fisheries towards mechanisation, offshore fishing and global seafood markets. 

The next transformation should not simply be about catching more. It should be about creating greater value with less waste, protecting ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods and ensuring fishing communities have a meaningful place in the blue economy. Perhaps the most enduring lesson from fisheries history is also the simplest: The sea can support generations - but only if each generation leaves enough for the next.

(The author is a Research Fellow of Pathfinder Foundation currently pursuing her PhD at AIT, Thailand)