The tranquil waters along the northern coast of Sri Lanka’s Jaffna Peninsula have recently been disturbed. The cause? An influx of Indian trawlers, originating from the state of Tamil Nadu, an occurrence that has become a cause for concern for local Sri Lankan fishermen. This piece aims to examine the background of this issue, its impact on the concerned communities, and the measures both India and Sri Lanka have taken (or failed to take) to address it.
Historical Background and the Current Predicament
Indian fishing boats have been navigating these waters freely for centuries, up until treaties between India and Sri Lanka came into effect in 1974 and 1976. These treaties marked the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) delineating the territorial waters of each nation.
Consequently, thousands of traditional fishermen found themselves constrained to a limited space for fishing activities. Frustrations escalated when Katchatheevu Island, which fishermen previously used for sorting their catch and drying nets, fell under Sri Lanka’s jurisdiction post demarcation.
Unwilling to return empty-handed, these fishermen often cross the IMBL, albeit at enormous risk. The Sri Lankan Navy is vigilant, leading to either the arrest of these fishermen or destruction of their fishing nets and vessels.
Agreements and Arrangements
In response to these difficulties, both countries have agreed on sets of practical arrangements. The primary aim of these agreements is to mitigate issues arising from bona fide fishermen crossing the IMBL. Such arrangements have made handling the detention of fishermen more humane.
Moreover, both governments have decided to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries. This group, comprising representatives from India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, hopes to find a lasting solution to the issue.
Threat to Livelihoods and Other Concerns
Sri Lankan fishermen are increasingly worried about their livelihoods, already under strain due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the potential decrease in exports. Additionally, they fear an increase in Indian trawlers that heavy-handedly exploit marine resources.
In response, Sri Lanka has banned bottom-trawling over the last couple of years and introduced hefty fines for trespassing foreign vessels. This resulted in the arrest of hundreds of Indian fishermen from 2017 to 2020.
Despite these measures, Sri Lankan fishermen blame the Sri Lankan Navy for failing to arrest trespassing fishermen from Tamil Nadu in the current scenario, attributing it to fears related to the Covid-19 situation in India.
Future Prospects and Potential Solutions
To address these apprehensions and improve relations, India must emphasize its traditional and cultural ties with Sri Lanka. Initiatives such as starting ferry services between the two nations could enhance people-to-people linkages. Mutual recognition of each other’s concerns and interests is another crucial step towards improving the relationship between the two countries.