Abstract
The Negombo estuary, spanning approximately 3,164 hectares, is located around 20 km north of Colombo fringed by mangrove and seagrass beds. As a vital fisheries hub in Sri Lanka , it supports significant fishing activities and acts as a focal tourist destination.
This study ground verified the spatial positions of each abandoned boat in the estuary and along its border from March 2024 to January 2025. Details such as boat type, level of sinking, degree of degradation. If visible the boat name, registration number, color, and any associated visible materials, were recorded. A total of 53 abandoned boats, of which 48% of them classified as multi-day boats (FRP) were recorded from the census. The rest were outboard engine FRP boats, non-mechanized watercraft such as canoes, catamarans and passenger boats. In terms of level of sinking, 44% of the boats were floating, other boats were partially or fully submerged. While 35% were largely intact, showing only minor damage. The density of boats at present is 1.64 per km2 . Spatial density mapping revealed the estuary mouth area as the abandonment hotspot. The amount of fiber plastics used to build is varied with the boat types . However, now it has the potential to enter fiberglass into this ecosystem. A plan to remove the already abandoned vessels and to stop this illegal practice is urgently needed to ensure health and safety of the people, livelihoods and ecosystem.