Illegal fishing by Indian trawlers violating the maritime boundary of Sri Lanka and its impact on livelihood and the Indo-Sri Lanka relations

Abstract

Abstract - Although, Indian and Sri Lankan fishing communities shared Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar as their common fishing grounds for centuries, crossing of maritime boundaries for fishing purposes was prohibited after ratifying maritime boundary agreements in 1974 and 1976. However, Indian fishermen frequently enter into Sri Lankan waters and carry out illegal fishing creating numerous conflicts. This study aims to identify the nature of illegal fishing practices carried out by Indian fishermen in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka and its impact on livelihood and the Indo-Sri Lanka relations. Primary data were collected from different stakeholders in Mannar and Jaffna areas through questionnaire and semi-structured interviews and secondary data were obtained from government institutions were used in this study. This study revealed that around 1000-1500 mechanized trawlers are coming to Palk Strait, Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar regions three days per week to catch prawns and demersal fishes. Their average daily catch mainly consists of prawns (56 ± 11 kg; 31%), demersal fishes (116± 18 kg; 65%), sea cucumbers and squids (6±3 kg; 3%) and they have harvested approximately 1900 tons of shrimps and 4000 tons of demersal fish in 2016. Around 98% stake holders responded that Indian poaching is the biggest threat for their livelihood. It was found that 22% of fishers permanently lost their livelihood and others are facing livelihood insecurities. Both countries have proposed some actions such set up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to expedite the release and handover of fishermen, intensify the cooperation on patrolling, and establish a hotline between coast guards of two countries to solve this problem, however, still could not find a long term solution. The northern Fishing community strongly suggests that the government of Sri Lanka must take strict security measures to protect its maritime border and actions to secure livelihood of fishers.