Fisheries DG says Tamil Nadu and EU playing politics
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Director General N.D.Hettiarachchi said, Sri Lanka was pushing for an early meeting of the Joint Working Group with India to resolve fishing issues between the two countries, but the response has been poor.Mr. Gunawardena said although the Indian Central government had shown interest in resolving the issue, the Tamil Nadu state government was blocking efforts. Excerpts: What steps if any, has the Government taken to pressure the EU, US, Japan etc, from stopping Tamil Nadu fishermen adopting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Palk Strait? We can inform the EU and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. But due to bilateral relations with the Indian national government we are trying to resolve the issue amicably. On the other hand the Eu has slapped a ‘yellow card’ warning to Sri Lanka exports for adopting IUU fishing. Is this all political? India is a big country and Sri Lanka is small and they tell us to follow all the guidelines but they don’t tell India to do so. It is a political act. Are you saying the EU is adopting double standards? Yes The Joint Working Group on Fisheries between Sri Lanka and India is not even meeting. While they procrastinate aren’t the marine resources of the Palk Strait dwindling fast? The talks have now been delayed for more than six months. We have informed the Indian authorities through our External Affairs Minis- try to expedite these talks. But so far there have been no indications when the meeting will take place. They always say next month and keep postponing it. Is it because of political pressure? Yes we think it is due to political pressure from Tamil Nadu although the Central Government is trying to resolve this amicably. What is the response from the Indian Central Government? The Indian Central Government is willing to resolve the issue, but the state government doesn’t appear to want to solve it through discussions with the Sri Lankan government. They claim it’s the right of their fishermen to enter Sri Lankan waters. That’s totally wrong according to conventions of the sea. In 1982 a UN convention was signed. Sri Lanka and India are signatories to it and according to the law a country cannot cross the Exclusive Economic Zone.
In this case the fishermen are crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). In addition there is the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) that has 31 members including India and Sri Lanka. This commission has passed many resolutions that cover the issues about crossing boundaries. The Commssion also covers the issue of IUU fishing. According to the IOTC fishermen cannot cross the boundaries.
We have explained everything to the Indian Central Government at several meetings and they were accepted. But at a practical level it has not been implemented. Fishermen continue to poach. What steps are being taken by the Sri Lankan Government to stop this poaching “at will” by Tamil Nadu fishermen that forces northern fishermen to stay at home three days of the week? Earlier the seized Indian boats were released. Now directives have been given to confiscate them. Last Tuesday we did this and the confiscation process will continue.
The operation is handled by big businessmen in Tamil Nadu. What impact does this continuing poaching by Indian firemen have on Sri Lanka's fisheries industry? Any estimates on how much revenue we lose? Bottom Trawling is banned. But Indian fishermen continue to use this method that has a harmful effect on our environment. You can’t save coral and other marine habitat when such methods are being used. What is the economic damage to the country? About two years ago we made an assessment and made a presentation to the Indians. The cost is around Rs 6.5 billion. Any comment on the talks that Tami Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is trying to initiate with Sri Lankan fishermen? One month ago Minister Basil Rajapaksa during a visit to Tamil Nadu invited Indian fishermen to Sri Lanka . We arranged a meeting. But Ms Jayalalithaa had told the fishermen not to come.As far as we are concerned direct negotiations between the Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen are not necessary. It should be government to government negotiations. How many Indian fishermen are in custody here and how many Sri Lankans are in Indian custody? Hundred and nine Indian fishermen are in custody here at present, while 35 fishermen are in custody in Inida.