US EditionSri Lankan freshwater fishers keen to turn invasive species threat into an opportunity
Fishers in Deduru Oya reservoir harvest invasive snakehead fish, which grow larger than native species, to create dried delicacies and boost local angler tourism, officials said.
- In Deduru Oya reservoir, local freshwater fishers harvest invasive snakehead and produce salted dried fish to protect livelihoods threatened by dwindling native catches.
- Likely introduced by released ornamental fish, the Deduru Oya reservoir’s lack of predators and the snakehead’s aggressive feeding and air-breathing favored rapid spread.
- The fishers association secretary, Ranjith Kumara, said snakeheads cannot be caught with nets and are caught by angling, with local fishers reporting specimens up to 7 kilograms since 2016.
- An angler competition to reduce numbers failed, and Ranjith Kumara proposed promoting angler tourism to provide steady control and alternative income for villagers mostly engaged in fishing and farming.
- As demand grows for processed snakehead, local fishers say expanding the business could increase catches and help curb the population, offsetting losses from declining native catches.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Sri Lankan villagers adapt to threat of snakehead fish invasion
Published On 13 Nov 202513 Nov 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareAn invasive fish is threatening livelihoods in a northwestern Sri Lankan village by devouring traditional fish and shellfish species in the Deduru Oya reservoir, but local fishers aim to transform this challenge into an opportunity.Over the past two years, fishermen have observed declining numbers of their typical catch while snakehead fish, previously unseen in Sri…
Associated Press News
Sri Lankan freshwater fishers keen to turn invasive species threat into an opportunity
DEDURU OYA, Sri Lanka (AP) — An invasive fish is threatening the livelihood of people in this northwestern village by aggressively eating traditional fish and shellfish species in the Deduru Oya reservoir, but the Sri Lankan fishers want to turn the adversity into an advantage.
Sri Lankan Freshwater Fishers Take Bold Steps to Turn Invasive Species Threat into Opportunity – EUROP INFO
Sri Lanka’s freshwater fishing communities are mounting a grassroots response to an escalating environmental challenge posed by invasive fish species. As non-native aquatic populations disrupt local ecosystems and threaten indigenous fish stocks, fishers are seeking innovative strategies to turn the tide on this growing threat. In this article, E&E News examines how these efforts could not only protect biodiversity but also sustain livelihoods c…
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