ABSTRACT
Small-scale coastal shrimp aquaculture systems in Sri Lanka are undergoing rapid social-ecological change. This chapter examines five key characteristics that can drive commonisation despite the changes in Sri Lankan shrimp aquaculture. Using a case study approach, data were collected from five “black tiger shrimp” (Penaeus monodon) farming communities in northwestern Sri Lanka. The primary input for shrimp farming – brackish water – was obtained from a cluster of three interconnected lagoons and their feeder canals. Specifically, changing climatic conditions intricately impact the interconnected lagoons and patterns of shrimp disease spread, making it difficult for the individual farmers to plan ahead for disease control. Even though the shrimp farms are individually owned by small producers, rearrangements were done to manage the cluster of water bodies as a common-pool resource. Collective rules along with government oversight and coordination were established to jointly manage the problems faced by the shrimp farmers. We outline five key characteristics of this community-based shrimp aquaculture initiative that can potentially drive commonisation: (1) bottom-up multi-level institutions and a mixed governance regime, (2) collaboration and collective action among shrimp farmers, (3) partnerships and government support, (4) adaptive governance processes, and (5) effective networking and information sharing through community cooperatives.
