The CAFOD-funded National Federation of Fishworkers organises fishermen to defend their rights
[Nithila Mariampillai/HUDEC]
CAFOD supports the National Federation of Fishworkers (NAFSO), which organises fishermen to lobby the government to defend their rights and to bring about good environmental practice in coastal areas.
NAFSO has helped a fishing community to take legal action against a proposal to build a five-star hotel on a mangrove where fish spawn.
'The lagoon is our mother'
Jude Preman Fernando, a local fisherman, said, "We are not against hotels, because they bring tourism and income.
"But 3,000 families and 15,000 fishermen use this lagoon and all of them could be affected by the developments. Only 200 would be employed by the hotel.
"The lagoon is our mother, and we must protect her."
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Published on 24/03/2007, last updated on 24/03/2007