Small, developing island states like Sri Lanka are gradually moving from a Green Economy Focus to Blue Economy Focus, aiming at exploiting ocean resources for employment creation, earning incomes, strengthening the economy and improving the wellbeing of the people. During 20-22 June 2012, at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) held in Rio de Janeiro, coastal states requested an extension of the Green Economy to encompass the Blue Sector, due to their small resource base which was limiting further expansion of their economies.
A major characteristic of Sri Lanka’s blue growth in respect of fisheries is that the new technology did not compete with the traditional/artisanal technology, displacing the fishers operating such non-motorised vessels.
The new fishing technology also demanded that fishers spend more and more time in fishing-related activities such as net mending, gear preparation, craft repair and engine repair work, search for purchased inputs, etc. All this meant a heavy burden on women in taking care of household and social onuses. Interestingly, women willingly take up these challenges because the fishing incomes are several fold high and they enjoy a better living standard than their fellow fishers who still operate artisanal crafts in nearshore waters.
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https://island.lk/propelling-blue-craft/