Sri Lankan fisherman leads charge on climate action

Joseph Anton, a Catholic, says his life's mission is to save mangroves in the nation’s largest saline coastal peat bog

Dec 11, 2024

By Quintus Colombage
At dawn each morning, Joseph Anton sets off for Negombo Lagoon in his tiny catamaran, looking for his daily catch.

Skillfully navigating the waters with a wooden paddle, he takes time to attend to the mangroves he and fellow fishermen have planted and preserved for several decades.

The 59-year-old Catholic fisherman, a member of St. Mary’s Church in Negombo, western Sri Lanka, says his mission in life has been to save and restore the mangrove forests.

“We belong to the earth, but we do not own it and its resources,” says Anton.

A traditional fisherman, he knows the importance of mangroves in protecting the lagoon's ecosystem, a breeding ground for various fish and other marine and non-marine species.

Anton’s silent activism to conserve the dwindling mangrove cover began when he was a child.

His late father also worked alongside other fishermen to protect the lagoon and enhance its resources.

“My father was deeply committed to growing mangroves, not only to boost our catches but also to safeguard the lagoon.”

Negombo Lagoon and the adjoining Muthurajawela wetland form a single ecosystem.

The local fishermen have been planting and preserving mangrove forests in a nearby 35-square-kilometer area for generations.

Colombo, the capital city, along with coastal regions in Sri Lanka, is surrounded by spacious natural wetlands linked to each other.

The Muthurajawela wetland offers multiple benefits. It absorbs flood water during high rainfall seasons and discharges it slowly into Negombo Lagoon, reducing the impact of flooding.

Sri Lanka was severely hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which devastated its coastline, leaving over 40,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced.

However, Negombo, located on the west coast, remained relatively unharmed. Its unique ecosystem kept away the tsunami's waves that reached six meters high and swept inland up to five kilometers.

Today, the Muthurajawela Marsh and Negombo Lagoon (MMNL), the nation’s largest saline coastal peat bog, is transforming into a rapidly developing urban area, making it an extremely vulnerable ecosystem.

Considerable changes have occurred to its biodiversity over the past few decades, warn environmentalists.

These changes leading to habitat deterioration and destruction of species are profoundly worrying for fishermen like Anton.

Realizing the importance of conserving this combined ecosystem from human activities like building houses and holiday resorts, Anton has been leading groups of fishermen to grow mangroves along the lagoon banks.

“Our mangrove forests have grown taller than us,” he declares proudly.

The men do not fish on Sundays. After attending Mass with their families, they dedicate hours of hard work to preserving the mangroves.

“Coastal forests, with their dense mangrove roots, support organisms like crabs, shrimp, and fish while also preventing coastal erosion and protecting the shoreline from waves and storms,” said Anton, a former secretary of the Lagoon Development Authority.

The body was established under a parliamentary law to help develop lagoons and increase fish production in the country.

Despite serving in a significant position, Anton prefers to dress in a simple T-shirt and sarong, which provides him comfort and ease while toiling in the tropical sun.

However, it belies his leadership and contribution to mitigating the impacts of climate change in one of the most productive and sensitive ecosystems in his country.

Sri Lanka, a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, ranks among the top 10 nations most vulnerable to extreme weather events, according to the Global Climate Risk Index (GCRI).

The nation faces severe environmental challenges, including the deforestation of lowland rainforests and the degradation of urban and coastal wetlands, threatening the ecological balance and the health of people and wildlife.

Fortunately, Sri Lanka is blessed with nearly 16,000 hectares of mangroves with 21 true mangrove species which is almost one-third of the global diversity. Preserving them can help prevent the erosion of lagoon estuaries, banks, and coastal areas.

The government has been engaged in raising awareness, making public appeals through the media.

Its latest television advertisement aired on Nov. 25 urged citizens to cultivate and protect mangrove forests.

"During the 2004 tsunami, many coastal areas were protected by mangrove forests. The forests protect coastlines and land from waves and provide unique support for creating habitats for fish and absorbing carbon dioxide," it said.

“Good habits should be passed on to future generations; it's your turn — take action now," said the ministry.

That’s what Anton intends to do — guide and mentor fellow fishermen and future generations to ensure the community thrives in harmony with the lagoon.

“The Muthurajawela Wetland Sanctuary, spanning 1,285 hectares and connected to the Negombo Lagoon, faces social and environmental challenges from businesspeople and politicians,” said Sumith Niroshan, an environmental activist from Colombo.

He said the mangroves face challenges from soil and garbage dumping, the building of houses and tourist resorts, and industrial and other human activities.

“This threatens the livelihoods of fishermen and other marginal communities who depend on the lagoon,” Niroshan added.

Food insecurity is a significant issue in the nation. According to the GCRI, an estimated 17 percent of the population will experience moderate acute food insecurity in 2023.

Anton and his fellow fishermen proactively defend the lagoon that feeds their families and the larger community.

“Whenever we spot anyone attempting to dispose of waste in the water or encroach upon the marshes, we immediately inform the authorities and halt such activities,” he said.

Niroshan said protecting the Muthurajawela wetland is important as it is home to 209 animal species and 194 species of trees, including various mangrove trees. It also hosts 40 fish, 31 reptile, 102 bird, and 48 butterfly species.

"Fishermen use the bark of certain mangrove trees to dye their nets and is also utilized in the making of fish traps and nets, highlighting the practical benefits of mangrove forests for local communities,” he said.

Father Nimal Jayantha, parish priest of St. Nicholas Church in Bopitiya, a village at the southern end of Negombo Lagoon, warned that all this could be threatened if the development activities continue unchecked.

“Businessmen with political connections claim properties within the Muthurajawela sanctuary, and commercial crops are being grown across vast expanses. There are also attempts to dump garbage right in the heart of the sanctuary,” he told UCA News.

Renuka Ruwani, a university student studying climate change and environment management, said the picturesque surroundings attract tourists and businesses.

“Perhaps we could boost eco-tourism, inspired by this symbiotic relationship between the fishermen and the mangrove ecosystem,” she observed.

Ruwani believes eco-warriors like Anton have “created a sustainable model of living in harmony with nature.”

She said the fishermen community from the MMNL is a living example that needs to be emulated if Sri Lanka, a Paris Agreement signatory, is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and prevent temperatures rising by 1.5°C.

The beautiful island nation plans to achieve its target by ensuring 70 percent renewable electricity and 32 percent forest cover.

Perhaps it would need many more Antons to care for future generations.

Anton believes small steps can lead to significant changes.

“The lagoon can be preserved, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry and the local environment,” he said.--ucanews.com