Small-scale fisher migration, conflict and wellbeing A case study from Sri Lanka

This dissertation focuses on the wellbeing of conflict affected seasonal migratory small-scale fishers in northwestern Sri Lanka. It seeks to answer the question: how is the wellbeing of migrant fisher households and communities affected by fisheries conflicts and what context-specific wellbeing indicators can be formulated to inform inclusive development policies? Migration, place-attachment and resource-based conflicts are viewed through the lens of wellbeing theory, within a broader frame of inclusive development. A mixed methodology approach was adopted employing qualitative and quantitative methods including policy analysis, field surveys, interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions in four sites – two home regions and two host regions. The study finds that seasonal migration ensures material, relational, and subjective wellbeing of both men and women in fisher families. However, the wellbeing of migrant fishers is affected by resource and place based conflicts, legal plurality, dwindling resources, concerns about children’s education, and gender-based relations. Migration site selection is driven by economic, social, and functional motives that correlate with material, relational, and subjective wellbeing. Specifically, fish catch, community, children, and church (religious institutes) (the four C’s) are identified as small-scale fisher relevant wellbeing indicators. A computation method to develop wellbeing indices based on household necessities and satisfaction is suggested as a community tool for directing policy and programmatic interventions, over and beyond the post-war reconstruction plans of the government. Policy reforms need to address access rights, economic diversification, children’s education, inter-community cooperation, and gender equality to support the long-term wellbeing of mobile resource-based communities like seasonal migratory fishers.