Driving forces of the long-enduring institutional mechanism of Padu system in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka

This article aims to address fishery adaptation to tackle the commons dilemma by introducing the Padu system. The Padu system which is a gear-specific fishery with strict rules has survived to date, but the system has become vulnerable due to exogenous pressures as well as internal population growth. With this background, the research presents a case study of stake-seine fishery in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka by highlighting the institutional mechanism of the Padu system. Findings revealed that the system has developed a nested structure of fishery governance among right holders. A role of the Roman Catholic Church served as a basis for interaction vertically across institutions from local to national, securing robust fishery institutions against entry of outsiders to the system. Furthermore, the fishery introduced a welfare scheme, contributing to the adherence to their own rules including entry rights to the system which control internal population growth. Based on these findings, this article provides several implications to sustainable fishery resources management through the Padu system.