JVP-led NPP Govt. must take meaningful action to end illegal Indian fishing in northern waters

THE ongoing problem of illegal fishing and bottom trawling in Sri Lanka’s northern territorial waters by Indian fishers from Tamil Nadu state was described in detail in the first part of this article published last week.

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Particular attention was devoted to the bogey of Katchatheevu being raised by the Indian side to sidetrack the issue. As emphasised previously the fundamental problem is illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters and not the question of Katchatheevu islet ownership. Certain salient points regarding the illegal fishing by Tamil Nadu fishers will be related in this second and final part of this article.

An extremely troubling factor in this issue is the attitude and conduct of Tamil Nadu fishers towards their northern Sri Lankan counterparts. The Tamil Nadu fishers have displayed unbelievable hostility and animus towards their Tamil speaking counterparts in Sri Lanka. If Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen get caught to the invading marauders, they are severely assaulted and their boats and equipment damaged or destroyed. Fishing nets owned by Sri Lankan fishermen have been deliberately damaged or destroyed by Indian fishers.

In one instance some Indian boats ventured very close to the Maadagal-Chuzhipuram coast and destroyed fishing nets. In a rare occurrence, compensation was paid by the Indian diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka.

Thus it could be seen that Tamil Nadu fishermen are ruthlessly and rapaciously exploiting the marine resources of northern Sri Lanka and causing irredeemable harm in the process. There is no concern about preserving marine resources for sustainable fishing. There is also no sympathy or empathy for their war-ravaged Sri Lankan Tamil “brethren” struggling to eke out a living and rebuild their shattered lives.

A main reason for this is due to the fact that fishing is no longer a traditional occupation in Tamil Nadu. Many of the castes engaged in fishing for generations have gained upward mobility through education after embracing Christianity. Fishing is no longer a family based occupation or restricted to a local Mudalali’s boats.

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