Negombo Lagoon traditional brush park (Athu Kotu) dawn harvesting: gear and salinity?
How do artisanal fishermen clear circular mangrove twig corrals in Negombo Lagoon before sunrise, and how do brackish tidal tides affect tiger prawn retention?
More
4 Answers from travellers
The Athu Kotu (brush park) fishery in Negombo Lagoon is an ancient fish aggregating technique. Fishermen sink bundles of mangrove branches (typically Rhizophora and Excoecaria) into shallow muddy waters (1-2 meters depth) to form circular artificial reefs. Over several weeks, algae and biofilm establish, attracting juvenile tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) and green chromides. Harvesting begins at 4:30 AM: two fishers encircle the twigs with an encircling net (Athu Dela), remove the submerged branches one by one by hand, and slowly draw the lead line inwards to scoop prawns trapped inside the bag.
Harvesting must occur during outgoing low tide; strong incoming ocean water pushes juvenile prawns deep into soft mud sediments where drag nets glide over them.
The branches are immediately restacked in place after harvesting to allow new benthic micro-invertebrate colonies to seed before the next tidal cycle.
Foot protection is essential; sharp shells of invasive American brackish-water mussels (Mytilopsis sallei) coat the lower parts of submerged stakes.
You must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to AnswerRelated questions
- Wildlife parks in Sri Lanka beyond Yala - Wilpattu, Minneriya, Udawalawe - which is worth visiting?2 answers
- Kandy Esala Perahera - when does it happen, where are the best viewing spots, and how do I get seats?2 answers
- Arugam Bay vs Weligama for intermediate surfing - which should I choose and why?2 answers
- Best local food to eat in Colombo - where do locals actually eat and what should I try?2 answers
- How cheap can you realistically travel Sri Lanka on a shoestring - $25-30 USD per day?2 answers
- Ayurveda retreat in Sri Lanka - what to expect and how to find genuine treatment vs tourist trap?2 answers
Join a Crew
Kandy Perahera Live Tonight
Perahera Seats, Hotels & Roads
Dalada & Perahera Culture