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Sri Lanka robbed of Rs 350 million worth of fisheries resources daily due to Indian bottom trawling
View(s):By S. Rubathesan
Sri Lanka loses Rs 350 million worth of its rich fisheries resources on a daily basis in the northern territorial waters due to the entry of at least 500 illegal mechanised bottom trawlers operated by Indian fishermen, according to a Cabinet note prepared by the Fisheries Ministry.
The note pointed out that in recent years, the fisheries sector has faced a huge issue, especially in the northern waters, due to illegal entry by Indian trawlers.
“This has caused massive destruction not only to the marine environment and biological resources but has also damaged the fishing boats, nets, and fishing gear of the fishermen,” the note stressed.
Bottom trawling: Destruction to environment and impacting livelihoods
The frequent entry of Indian trawlers, almost daily now, into our territorial waters in large numbers and in massive fishing boats has hindered the fishing activities of local fishermen and has impacted the livelihood of the fishing community as a whole, the note said.
While stressing that the bottom trawling practice by Indian fishermen has been continuously destroying the marine habitat of the ocean floor, the note stressed that at least 500 Indian vessels enter our territory and engage in bottom trawling in the northern waters. Each trawler boat catches about 1,000 kg of fish and prawns from these waters. At least three days a week, an average of 900 Indian trawlers enter the northern waters, the note added. “They not only catch fish and prawns but also sweep up the juveniles, which they dump into the sea at the port of landing,” the note added.
Meanwhile, the Fisheries Ministry has directed its scientific research agency, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), to carry out a comprehensive study on the socio-economic and environmental impact of illegal bottom trawling fishing activities in northern waters.
Damaged fishing nets and gear. Pix by Loha Thayalan
“The ongoing study will focus on the overall impact of the Indian fishermen entering our territorial waters and engaging in fishing at the expense of our fishermen. The report is critical to estimate the losses due to these activities and to take steps on how to protect our fisheries resources in the future,” Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told the Sunday Times. The minister came under severe criticism by Northern fisherfolk unions at the District Development Committee meeting held at the Jaffna District Secretariat on Friday, where representatives alleged that the government failed to take up the issue of Indian fishermen poaching in Lankan territorial waters with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar when he visited the country on June 20.
Responding to the allegations, Minister Devananda said that he had raised the issue with the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, and both parties have agreed to fast-track the joint committee-level discussions at the earliest in order to address the pressing issues.
Dr. K. Arulananthan, Director General of NARA, told the Sunday Times that the study by the agency is currently underway and the final report will be submitted to the Minister at the earliest.
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