1. Introduction of Alternative energy to replace the burning of Kerosene for night Fishing by Fisher communities in Sri Lanka.
2. Restoration of coastal wetlands with Mangroves to enhance the carbon sequestration potential of wetlands.

Alternative Energy for Kerosene Use in Fishing Industry:

The NF has so far successfully introduced two innovative technologies aimed to replace fossil fuel use in the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. Both these are effective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by alternative lighting systems..

1. Solar Powered LED Lamp Systems for Prawn catching:
   Traditional and age-old prawn catching practice named ja kotu is a common system used in most of the brackish water bodies in Sri Lanka. This trapping system is made of interwoven bamboo panels consisting of two units of three interconnected catching chambers equipped with non-return devices. This system is a fairly sustainable and key income measure that ensures the livelihood of the rural community.
   
   However the system requires to light seven kerosene lamps to attract prawns to the trapping chambers. A single lamp system could consume about 3.0 to 3.5 litres of kerosene every night. At Maduganga wetland there are about 60 Ja–kotus engaged in Prawn Trapping at night and burns more than 180 to 210 litres of Kerosene every night. During 325 nights per year they burn 58,500 to 60,250 litres of Kerosene and emit more than 1836 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide to the atmosphere at the rate of 3.14 kg per 1.2 litre of kerosene oil burnt.
   
   The NF, after a feasibility study with a cautiously designed experiment, introduced an alternative for the traditional kerosene powered lanterns. This new lighting system contains of a solar powered LED (light emitting diode) lamp system. This method resulted a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through reducing and ceasing fossil fuel energy use.
   
   The system is powered by a solar panel fixed to the ja-kotu. The light emitted from the LED lamp system is identical to that of the traditional kerosene lamp in colour and light intensity. The system was first introduced to Maduganga Lake where it was successfully implemented. This has changed the practice among the traditional prawn catchers, benefiting them in various ways. This alternative system has other benefits such as allowing the lights to be used in windy or rainy conditions, keeping the catch from being the contaminated by kerosene spills, preventing accidental burning of traps and cutting down operation costs for fisherman. In a bigger context it saves foreign exchange spent on importing kerosene which amounts to 60,000 litres a year.
    
2. Replacing Kerosene Lamps with CFL lamps
   This initiative was launched to replace the use of kerosene for lighting lamps in freshwater traditional fishing vessels known as Canoe that operate during the night in rivers, tanks and lagoons. Fishermen light traditional kerosene lamps to illuminate and attract fishes to fishing vessels and burning kerosene results in emitting carbon dioxide, the main green house gas.
   
   A lagoon fishing vessel uses more than 1 L of kerosene per night for lighting their fishing vessel. The total of 375 night fishermen in Maduganga– Madampa Lake area burns more than 400 litre of kerosene per night. According to the available statistics, burning of 1.2 litres of kerosene emits about 3.14 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. The total emissions of 375 fishing vessels in the area alone will contribute for a minimum of 1256 kg of carbon dioxide emissions every night. During the period of 325 days of night fishing, this fishing fleet along emit a minimum of 408 mt of carbon dioxide annually to the atmosphere.
   
   Burning kerosene for night fishing has other disadvantages apart from emitting green house gases like carbon dioxide. Health related issues are caused by the long term exposure to kerosene fumes; it is difficult to use kerosene lamps during rainy and windy weather; accidental spill of kerosene cause pollution of the ecosystem and contaminate the catch and a considerable amount of money is spent on kerosene.
   
   Considering these circumstances, the NF introduced an alternative that can be a vital solution for climate change and for all other disadvantages caused by the use of kerosene lamps. The alternative developed is a unique CFL lighting system. This design is powered by a rechargeable 12 Volt 4-6 Ampere seal lead acid battery, which has a one year lifespan. These lanterns use CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) lamps that consume low energy and provide an improved light lasting for about 30 hours. These affordable lanterns can be charged from the main electric grid or using solar panels. This makes the system cheaper than kerosene lanterns. These lights are easy to maintain, light in weight and less labour intensive.
   
   Socio – Economic Impact
   The main advantage of these lamps is that they can provide a bright, clean light. In addition to this, fishermen can withstand windy and rainy weather conditions thus improving the efficiency in fishing. The new lighting method minimizes the aforementioned risks of contamination, pollution and fire hazard. The smoke and fume free condition reduces health risks for users. The CFL lamps provide better and longer lighting at a lesser cost. It has been calculated that these fishermen spent up to about 30% of their income on purchasing kerosene oil for their lamps. The ability to save up their kerosene expense has been the main reason for the popularity of this solution amongst fisher communities. These savings could be used for other essential expenditure including children’s welfare and education. That is an added advantage for these poverty stricken rural families.

Formation of the Green Fisher Forum
Green Fisher Forum concept was formed in the lakes and tanks of Southern Province where the programme for introducing CFL lamps for night fishing activities was launched. The objective of this Forum a is support capacity building activities and providing access to technical support. Further, the concept of sustainable fisheries is introduced to the fishery community through these lagoons.

These fora were formed in lakes such as Maduganga and Madampa lakes both situated in Galle district and Malala lagoon and Lunugamwehera reservoir in Hambantota district.


Services Center for Green Fishermen
The demand for this new lighting system is increasing rapidly. The NF has established a service centre at the Nagenahiru Center for Environmental Education, to provide technical support, spare parts and other requirements of the fishermen using this new system

Future plans
It is estimated that there are about 35,000 registered night fishermen engaged in night fishing in inland water bodies in Sri Lanka such lagoons, estuaries and irrigation tanks. It is aimed to replace about 20,000 kerosene lanterns with the new CFL light system in the next five years time. With the expansion of the alternative lighting solution provided by the NF it will be an effective climate change mitigation measure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.