Stilt Fishing in Sri Lanka

Stilt Fishing in Sri Lanka

Fishing plays an important part in the economy of the island of Sri Lanka. The island is surrounded by the Indian Ocean so many people make a living out of fishing in the sea either in boats floating on the ocean waves, by standing on the shore using nets or throwing in fishing lines, or by standing on stilts in the water.

Stilt fishing is a method of fishing unique to the island country of Sri Lanka. It is an old practice, dating back about 70 years, where people stand on stilt poles and toss a fishing line in the water below them. I understand that this practice started during the Second World War. when there were food shortages and overcrowded fishing spots. Some southern Sri Lankin people came up with the idea of fishing on the water.

They first stood on the wreckage of capsized ships and sunken aircraft. They then put stilts in the coral reefs to stand on. They were generally found along a 30 klm stretch of the southern shore of Sri Lanka between the towns of Unawatuna and Weligama where they were often seen fishing between dawn and dusk.

Stilt Fishing in Sri Lanka

Nowadays it is a popular tourist attraction to see these stilt fishermen in action. On my recent visit to Sir Lanka I was fortunate to go to one of these stilt fishing locations in Koggala and see some fishermen sit on their stilts. They were dressed in traditional clothes and made for some pleasing photos opportunities. They then let some of the members of my tour group have a go at sitting on the stilts to pose for photos.

I am not sure if these local people were real fishermen, or just locals being fishermen for the sake of tourists, but they did look the part sitting on their stilts. Many of the original stilt fishermen have now taken up farming, or they resell fish purchased at larger markets. A few still fish, but often further out to sea. The local Sri Lankans work hard at making a living out of whatever they do.