Indians throw away 30 % of the catch

As much as one-third or more than 30 per cent of the fish caught by Indian poachers in Sri Lankan waters is dumped back into the sea as ‘waste fish’ as the fishermen engage in internationally ban- ned IUU (Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported) fishing practices.

Bottom trawling is banned both in India and Sri Lanka, but Indian fishermen engage in the practice in Sri Lankan waters with impunity with the encouragement of the Tamil Nadu State government and the protection of the central government in New Delhi.

"We are trying to resolve this issue amicably,” says Fisheries Director General N.D. Hettiarachchi (in the absence of Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senarathne who is in Germany). He confirmed that the Joint Working Group of the two countries has not met due to India refusing to fix a date.

IUU fishing carries a worldwide ban and Sri Lanka loses more than Rs. 8 billion a year due to this poaching in addition to the haemorrhaging impact on the country's marine eco environment in the northern waters, a Sunday Times investigation shows.

Due to 'bottom-trawling' the waste fish quantity is high, Dr. Hiran Jayewardena, former Chairman of the National Aquatic Research Agency (NARA) said.

"Our sailors have seen the Indian fishermen throwing the smaller fish caught in the massive bottom-trawling nets back into the sea as they are of no use to them. What is thrown away includes marine life and coral.