Characterizing dried fish value chains in Kalutara and Kantale, Sri Lanka

Title	Characterizing dried fish value chains in Kalutara and Kantale, Sri Lanka
Author(s)	Madu Galappaththi, Hiroshini Wadige, Ishan Indunil
Format	Long essay
Anticipated length	5000 words
Synopsis	Dried fish value chains comprise an important sub-sector of small-scale fisheries that support the livelihoods, food security, and wellbeing of fishing communities, particularly in the Global South. However, the organization and scale of operation of dried fish value chains are rarely documented and poorly understood. The goal of this essay is to map and characterize two distinct dried fish value chains in Kalutara and Kantale, Sri Lanka. Kalutara is a coastal urban area where dried fish is mostly produced using the fish landed at a nearby harbour by multi-day deep-sea fishing vessels. In contrast, Kantale is an inland culture-based reservoir fishery, which is locally well-known for its freshwater dried fish production. Based on in-depth interviews with dried fish processors and key informants, the essay will discuss the two value chains with attention to key nodes, gendered tasks, actors involved, scales of operation, and how dried fish activities are embedded in small-scale fisheries.