INDO-Sri Lanka Fishermen Issue: Civil Services Mentor Magazine - April + May 2014

INDO-SRI LANKA FISHERMEN ISSUE

Background

The issue of capture and imprisoning of fishermen by the Coast Guards of India and Sri Lanka respectively, has been one of the major bone of contention in the betterment of the Indo-Sri Lanka relations. Apart from the issue of Tamils in Sri Lanka, the issue of Fishermen has been a major source of bitterment of relations between the two nations. Due to this issue, the state of Tamil Nadu has been raising repeatedly, concerns over the security of the state's fishermen and their economic interest.

However, there have been certain developments in this regard, with both- India and Sri Lanka, taking steps to reconcile the matter, through peaceful channels. It is in this context that several developments and initiatives have been made on the issue of resettlement of the fishermen of both countries.

Indo-Sri Lanka Marine Relations: Some Irritants

There are certain irritants in the Indo-Lankan relations, that are an impediment in the establishment of friendly relations between the two nations.

Katchchativu Island- One of the contentious issue pertain to the status of Katchchativu island in the Palk Bay area. The Palk Strait region is a stretch of sea about 30 km long, that separates India's Tamil Nadu state from Sri Lanka's northern province. It is a barren island, that is a disputed territory between the two countries. In 1974, India agreed to Sri Lanka's sovereignty over the island, but with some safeguards for the Indian fishermen. However, the agreement was vague, and could not address the issue adequately.

The Lankan government remained dissatisfied as, the agreement did not give any fishing right to the Lankan fishermen, except the right to dry their fishing nets and the right of pilgrims to visit the island for religious purposes. Very often, the Indian fishermen invaded the Sri Lankan waters to catch the wide resource of fisheries. This created bitter relations between Sri Lankan Navy and the Indian fishermen.

The main issue for the Lankan Navy was the their inability to distinguish between the genuine fishing vessels and the boats used by the smugglers, for Tamil militants. This gave rise to a series of incidents involving indiscriminate firing and killing of the Indian fishermen, futher worsening the relations. Sethusamudram Project- Another issue that became a problem in the betterment of the Indo-Sri Lanka relations was the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, undertaken by India to link the Palk Bay with the Gulf of Mannar, through a shipping canal. The purpose of the project was to cut the total distance between the eastern and western coasts of India, and to develop the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu. Environmentalists, however, feel that all these developments are detrimental to the natural heritage of the region.

Colombo has reservations on this projects, as it implies a loss of the container traffic at Colombo and Galle ports. Interestingly, LTTE was also opposed to project!

Recent Developments: Fishermen Resettlement Issue

The fisheries conflicts has in recent months figured high on the agenda of bilateral ties. Nearly 600 Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on charges of illegal fishing activity in 2013. India has committed to host the Joint Working Group meeting on Fisheries, which seek to evolve a solution to the Palk Bay conflict.

After rounds of negotiations and high level ministerial meetings, Sri Lanka agreed to release 275 fishermen to India. In return, India agreed to release the Lankan fishermen as well.

At another round of negotiations, both the government have agreed to release 160 Sri Lankan fishermen and 236 Indian fishermen respectively. The agreement between India and Sri Lanka to empty their jails of each other's fishermen is an encouraging sign that both sides have the will to resolve a long-standing irritant in bilateral ties.

The Indian Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Sri Lankan Fisheries and Aquatic Minister Rajitha Senaratne met and agreed to release all fishermen in their custody except those who face charges other than
crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. Thus, both sides have now resolved to sit together at the negotiation table and find a long-term solution to the problem of the fishing communities in the region.

Recently, there have been a rising demand from the Sri Lankan fishermen for the right to fish in the entire Palk Bay, describing it as their traditional fishing ground. There are concerns over this demand as the area near the disputed territory of Kachchatheevu is supposed to have a better catch of fishes.

Many environmentalists blame the Indian fishing industry for the appalling state of the Indian coastal fishing zones. Bad practices like the indiscriminate use of trawlers that dredge the entire sea bed, has depleted the resources along the Tamil Nadu Coast. Indian fishermen, being better equipped than their Sri Lankan counterparts, have been creating havoc in their sides. On the other hand, the Sri Lankan side is relatively prosperous due to several reasons.

Back in 2008, when the Sri Lankan military operations against the LTTE were intensifying, it became favorable to the Indian fishermen. This position, is being re-negotiated by the Sri Lankan fishermen. With the backing of the two governments, the fishermen have now come to the negotiating table, and to explore the various options available for licensing and placing restrictions on the number of fishing days.

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