What is the impact on fisheries and agriculture in the affected countries ?
Fisheries and agriculture in coastal areas of countries bordering the Indian Ocean have been severely damaged by tsunami waves. Damage varies greatly between localities and generalizations are not possible. Among the worst-hit sectors are fisheries and aquaculture. In Sri Lanka for example 75% of the fisheries sector has been wiped out and 10 out of 12 main fishery harbours have been completely devastated. Many small scale fishers have lost their lives and others their boats and gear, their homes and fish processing equipment. Tens of thousands of aquaculture cages and ponds, most of them family owned, have been destroyed. The agricultural sector has been affected by losses to human capital, crops (especially rice stocks), productive lands (due to salinity damage), and livestock.
