News
Fewer Indian bottom trawlers after stricter laws by Sri Lanka, and increased Navy action
View(s):By S Rubatheesan
With the tough implementation of recently amended fisheries regulations and continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen engaged in bottom trawling in Lankan territorial waters, the number of bottom trawlers venturing into the waters reduced significantly in recent months, Northern fishermen observed.
Annalingam Annarasa, Secretary of Kayts Fishermen Cooperative Society is of the view that the recent prosecution of arrested Indian Fishermen in Kayts Courts that resulted in hefty penalties and jail terms for second-time offenders played a significant role discouraging them from crossing the territorial borders.
“We have been demanding the Government to implement the law that was passed in the recent past to deter illegal fishing in our waters. As a sovereign nation, it is the responsibility of the authorities to protect our resources,” fishermen leader Annarasa told the Sunday Times.
Last week, Kayts Magistrate Court handed in Rs 8 million as a fine to a skipper who also happened to be the owner of a Tamil Nadu-based bottom trawler after it was taken into custody for engaging in bottom trawling near Delft Island, Jaffna under amended Fisheries Act No 59 of 1979 (Foreign Fisheries boats Regulation Act).
Earlier this month, the same Court on a separate case imposed a fine of Rs 4 million for a skipper and ordered one-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) if the suspect failed to pay the fine. Seven fishermen who were held along with their traditional Naatu boat were also released after being handed in the sentence of a one-year jail term suspended for two years.
On August 8, the Kayts Courts announced the judgement where two Indian fishermen were fined Rs 4 million each and another Rs 8 million for being the skipper and the owner of the bottom trawler. They were ordered to pay the fine before August 13.
Since all three Indian fishermen failed to pay the fine before the date set by the Courts, two of them will have to serve a jail term of one year for failing to pay Rs 4 million, while the other who was fined Rs 8 million is to serve two years.
Secretary of Northern Province Fishermen’s Association N.M. Aalam told the Sunday Times that even though the number of vessels entering north of Mannar had reduced in recent months, several trawlers were seen south of the region.
“It is true that the presence of Indian bottom trawlers is very less nowadays – thanks to the tough prosecution and Navy’s continuous patrolling. We hope that authorities will continue to adopt similar practices in order to prevent Indian fishermen from coming into our waters,” Aalam said while stressing that after the recent death of an Indian fisherman mid-sea and another missing, followed by the death of a Navy sailor, the frequent arrival of mechanised trawlers dropped significantly.
Acknowledging the drop in the number of trawlers venturing into Lankan territorial waters, Navy Spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya said that Indian trawlers no longer come closer to shore as they used to due to active patrolling by the Navy on the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
“We are not chasing them any more with mere warnings at IMBL, we try to arrest them,” the Navy Spokesperson said.
On August 8, 35 Indian fishermen were taken into custody near Kudiramalei Point in the northwestern seas, south of Mannar for engaging in bottom trawling activities. It was the largest apprehension in recent weeks, and all arrested fishermen were brought to Kalpitiya for further legal action.
So far 44 Indian fishing trawlers have been sized by the Navy along with 322 Indian fishermen for charges of engaging in bottom trawling in Lankan waters this year alone, according to the Navy.
Meanwhile, 13 Indian fishermen, arrested for engaging in bottom trawling, were repatriated on Friday to their homes in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Mission in Colombo said.
Warning from Indian officials
Indian authorities have commenced awareness campaigns urging Tamil Nadu fisherfolk communities in Rameshwaram not to cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engage in fishing in Lankan territorial waters.
According to the Hindu, top officials from the Indian Navy, Customs, Fisheries Department, and Police in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu held an interactive session with the fishermen community on Tuesday (13).
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