Value Chain Analysis of the Marine Ornamental Reef Fishery in Trincomalee, Eastern Sri Lanka

Marine ornamental fishery began in the 1930s in Sri Lanka has developed into a multi-million-dollar industry at present. This study was carried out from February 2019 to February 2021 focusing on marine aquarium fishing communities in Trincomalee, eastern Sri Lanka, to analyze the value chain of marine ornamental reef fishery. Stakeholders were identified through the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and participant observations. The market chain of marine reef fishery in Trincomalee consisted of approximately 600 fishers, 11 middlemen and 21 exporters. Two local aquaria played a minor role in the market chain by purchasing 2% of the total fish collection from middlemen. Government authorities & non-governmental organizations, equipment & other service suppliers and supporters were key components in the input flow. The price of fish and invertebrates increased by ten times through the production flow from fishers to exporters. The study indicated that the price determination process for species through the production flow should be modified to get a considerably higher profit for the fishers.