Thondaimanaru lagoon is one of the shallow coastal lagoons in Jaffna peninsula. The current study was conducted to assess the present status of water quality and fish species composition of this lagoon. Water sampling was conducted from July 2016 to December 2016. Nine random samples were collected monthly in order to determine water temperature, pH, salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids and turbidity. A smarTROLL Multi parameter (Insitu 458389) was used to measure all the parameters except turbidity, which was measured by turbidity meter (2100Q HACH). Random samples of fishes were collected once a month. One-way ANOVA was used to perform statistical analysis. Water temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, salinity, Total Dissolved Solids and turbidity showed significant variations (p < 0.05) whereas pH value did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05) among the months. Chanos chanos, Hemirhamphus sp., Nematalosa nasus, Mugil cephalus, Liza parsia, Oreochromis mossambicus, Arius caelatus and Gerres lucidus were present throughout the study period. Results revealed that the important water quality parameters fluctuated due to seasonal environmental changes where shallow water depth of lagoon, rate of evaporation as well as precipitation had a significant influence on the water quality characteristics.

Present study was conducted to determine the impacts of barrage construction on livelihood status of fishers who involve fishing in Thondaimanaru lagoon. The data related to the socio -economic condition of fishers in the particular area were obtained through a pre -tested structured questionnaire and in -depth guided interviews from July 2016 to January 2017. Randomly selected 25 fishermen were interviewed. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Survey results indicated that 88% of fishermen are living as nuclear families consisting of 4 -5 members. Majority of fishermen are Hindus and 92% are married. About 64% engaged in fishing are under age group of 36 -55. Education is still not prominent among the fishers. Only 84% has primary education. The main occupation in this society is fishing and earned highest monthly income LKR (6000 ± 1000). It was found that installation of barrage plays a crucial role in socio -economic status of fishers of Thondaimanaru lagoon. This barrage severely affected the traditional fishing, amount of fish production and its consequences on their income as well. It was apparent from the current study that these fishermen have poor livelihood status and they need support from government or other organizations to enhance their socioeconomic status.

The present study was carried out to analyze the possibility of practicing aquaculture in selected mangrove regions in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. A detailed study on the possibility of undertaking aquaculture has been carried out in Sarasaalai and Kapputhu mangrove regions. The water quality parameters were measured, organic matter was estimated and available fish species were collected and identified during the study period. Samples were collected in the second week of each month from June 2016 to November 2016. Water quality parameters such as water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water depth and turbidity were measured. Organic matter was estimated for soil samples collected from the study areas. Water quality parameters were analyzed by two sample t-test using minitab13. Identification of all collected fish species were confirmed according to the standard literature by observing their morphological and meristic characters. Statistical analysis shows no significant difference between Sarasaalai and Kapputhu in water temperature (P = 0.062), salinity (P = 0.402), dissolved oxygen (P = 0.773), pH (P = 0.262) and water depth (P = 0.798). Significant difference (P = 0.001) was observed for turbidity in both locations. High percentage of organic matter was observed in Sarasaalai. The identified fish species in both locations were Chanos chanos, Platycephalus fuscus, Oreochromis mossambicus, Nematalosa nasus, Hyporhamphus limbatus, Hemiramphus marginatus, Etroplus maculatus, Gerres abbreviatus and Gerres oyena. The most abundant species found in Sarasaalai was O. mossambicus and in Kapputhu were O. mossambicus, C. chanos, G. abbreviatus and G. oyena. The present investigation inferred that the specified species can be cultured in the said regions. However, a long term study on seed resources, environmental and climatic conditions of particular site would ensure more details on culture aspects of these species.

Women's involvement in fisheries seems to be largely invisible and unacknowledged in Jaffna Peninsula. Thus, the present study was conducted in Ponnalai village to determine the active participation of women in fisheries, analyse their socioeconomic status and suggest appropriate measures to improve their livelihood. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and through interviews from October to December 2018. Randomly selected, 25 women fisher folks were interviewed and collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. In the study area, women were primarily involved in hand picking of shrimps and crabs. Results revealed that 100 % of responders were Hindus and were from traditional fishing families. It was found that 72 % of women were above 50 years in age. The educational status of fishers showed that 80% were illiterate. The fisheries sector is characterized with the participation of married and widowed women (64 %). Number of children per women fisher folk was 7 -9 (52 %). The average monthly fish production varied between 130 kg to 312 kg (60 %) and monthly income varied from Rs.7, 800 to Rs.13, 000. It was apparent that the socio-economic status of women fishers in the study area was poor. Lack of government support, poor literacy rate and low income were the major identified constraints faced by the women fisher folk of this village. Therefore, support from governmental or non-governmental organizations by providing subsidies, loans and technological assistance are essential to improve the livelihood and their socio-economic status.