In 1992 The Small Fishers Federation was set up as a development network of small-scale fisher folk organizations in Sri Lanka. Small scale fisher folk are one of the most socially and economically vulnerable groups. They are engaged in fishing in shallow waters of the sea and also inland fishing areas using very primitive fishing gear. Their average income is US$ 12 per month and 84 percent of them are living in lack of basic needs. The Federation represents these fisher folk in the islands. It’s an approved charity and a non-profit non-governmental organization, which is incorporated under regulations for the Monitoring of Receipts and Disbursement of Funds by NGOs and is registered as a company. As an umbrella organisation the Federation is conducting advocacy, economical, social and educational programmes to strengthen and empower the small fisher community on self-reliance.