A permanent and sustainable solution which is mutually acceptable to both sides is needed to resolve decades long fishing issue between India and Sri Lanka. Comment. (150 words) – INSIGHTSIAS

2. A permanent and sustainable solution which is mutually acceptable to both sides is needed to resolve decades long fishing issue between India and Sri Lanka. Comment. (150 words)

Reference: New Indian Express 

Introduction

In line with the “Neighborhood First” approach and the “Sagar” doctrine, New Delhi attaches “a special priority” to its relations with Colombo. However, fishermen issues are persisting since a long time. Palk Bay, a narrow strip of water separating the State of Tamil Nadu from the Northern

Province of Sri Lanka is a rich fishing ground for both countries and continues to be the disputed space. The major issue is the ongoing disagreement over the territorial rights of the island of Katchatheevu.

Body

Fishermen issues: Major concerns

• Sri Lanka has accused Indian fishermen of frequent poaching in the island nation’s waters, and damaging the marine environment through frequent trawling.
  • As in the past, fishermen from Rameswaram and nearby coasts continue to sail towards Talaimannar and Katchatheevu coasts, a region famous for rich maritime resources in Sri Lanka.
  • Plenty of catch in this oceanic region had triggered a proliferation of fishing trawlers in Tamil Nadu coast in the past three decades.
  • There were many favourable reasons too for Indian fishermen as their access to Sri Lankan waters was easier at the time of Sri Lankan civil war.
• Bottom trawling: In July 2017, Sri Lanka became the first Asian country to ban the aggressive method of fishing and declared it an offence by unanimously passing an amendment to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, attracting a fine of LKR 50,000 with two years of imprisonment.
  • Since then, many Indians were jailed.
• Political issue: While the conflict is multi-layered, its political dimension has tended to overshadow other important factors.
  • It has been often a sensitive political issue in Tamil Nadu in the past one decade.
• Indians jailed: In particular, Indian analysts say, the trauma faced by the families of fishermen detained in foreign jails hasn’t received much attention.
  • It is pertinent that in most cases, the arrested fisher-folk have been the sole earners for their families.
  • Their incarceration in Sri Lankan jails has inflicted trauma and suffering on their families.
• Katchateevu issue: While the unpopular truth in the entire conflict is accusations about Tamil fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters, ownership of Katchatheevu island, where Tamil fishermen had traditional fishing rights for centuries, also remains an unresolved issue.

Resolution of fishermen issues

• The department of ocean development and ministry of agriculture have to ensure assistance to the states so that fishermen are able to find alternative livelihood to fishing in Palk Bay.
• The Sri Lankan Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Minister appointed a three-member committee to find a lasting solution to the issue.
• According to the minister, India had accepted a draft solution submitted by Sri Lanka in January last year, but further progress was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Sri Lanka had suggested joint patrols and operations between the two countries to guarantee effective results on illegal fishing and trespassing. There is an immediate need to sign a protocol for joint patrolling.
• If both countries are unable to settle the dispute, then they could seek assistance from international maritime experts.
• The Indian government has renewed the thrust on ocean economy in recent times with the PM signing MoU on ocean economy with Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Maldives in 2015.
• Both countries have agreed on certain practical arrangements to deal with the issue of bona fide fishermen of either side crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.

• • Through these arrangements, it has been possible to deal with the issue of detention of fishermen in a humane manner.
• India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare of India and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.

Conclusion

Despite having met more than once since 2016, a solution is yet to be finalized. Irrespective of the circumstances, a potential solution to the dispute relies on the response from the respective governments of India and Sri Lanka. There is a glaring need for institutionalisation of fishing in Indian waters by the government of India so that alternative means of livelihood are provided. Government will have to mark up a comprehensive plan to reduce the dependence of Indian fishermen on catch from Palk Bay.

Value addition

Kachchatheevu island

• Kachchatheevu is a small island located about 10 miles north east of Rameshwaram.
• The fishermen used it to dry their nets and catch fish.
• When the Zamindari system was abolished, Kachchatheevu became a part of the Presidency of Madras.
• When India became independent and initiated a boundary negotiation at the maritime level with Sri Lanka, Kachchatheevu was a disputed territory between Ceylon and the British and there was never an agreement on boundary ever.
• In 1947 and 1976, as per agreements, the issue was bilaterally resolved between India and Sri Lanka, and the resultant maritime agreement has allowed Indians to visit Kachchatheevu for pilgrimage for which no visa is required.
• The Indian government has maintained that the right of access to Kachchatheevu does not cover any fishing rights.