Indian poaching: New mechanism to seek compensation for Lankan fishermen
The Government is to assess the damage caused to Sri Lankan fishermen due to Indian poaching and provide compensation by setting up a joint mechanism with India.
The joint mechanism called Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar Joint Marine Fisheries Resources Management Authority has been proposed by Sri Lanka to India to resolve poaching disputes and share marine resources as the region is under the threat of depletion due to overfishing and bottom trawling --- a harmful fishing method used by Indian fishermen.
The proposal was submitted to the Indian side last week during the high level meetings Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had with Indian Premier Narendra Modi and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jayshankar.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Douglus Devananda who was part of the Prime Minister's delegation told the Sunday Times that the Indian side welcomed the proposed joint mechanism and both parties committed themselves to resolve this issue amicably while protecting the marine resources in the Palk Bay.
“We are hopeful to hear from them on this issue. The Indian government assured us that within the next three months, it would resolve the issue of bottom trawling fishing used by Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay while encouraging their fishermen to go for deep sea fishing rather than trespassing into our waters. This is a positive start,” Minister Devananda said.
According to the proposal, senior government officials and fishermen representatives from both countries will take part in the mechanism “outline a management process to build governance and community consensus for sharing marine resources." The mechanism will address overfishing by the shrimp trawlers, discuss existing legislation and work out a comprehensive fisheries management plan with the participation of stakeholders from India and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan delegation also requested the Indian side to ensure the safety of Sri Lankan fishermen who undertake transit passage along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) for deep sea fishing.
The Fisheries Ministry suggested that Indian Coast Guards inspect the Sri Lankan fishing boats onboard as far as possible without escorting them to ports in India, whenever they wanted to check them on suspicion while they sailed through the IMBL for fishing in the Arabian Sea.
It was also pointed out that 196 Indian trawlers were currently anchored in various fisheries harbours in Sri Lanka. Among them, 58 were seized after the passing of Fisheries ( Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Amendment Act No 1 of 2018, and 42 Indian trawlers were confiscated on court order. Six boats were released on court order but not taken back and ten cases are still pending in courts.
Some 138 Indian trawlers that were seized before 2018 were released following a government decision but they are yet to be taken back since most of them are unsalvageable. At least 34 Sri Lankan fishing boats are being detained in India.