Saturday, 24 August 2013 00:00
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India and Sri Lanka are on the cusp of a major standoff over illegal fishing. While both are treading softly to avert a potentially disastrous standoff, they may not be so lucky despite all their trying.
According to Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, the industry loses an estimated US$ 78.9 million worth of fish from illegal poaching from South India. The Government has targeted $ 500 million in revenue for 2013 but has had to keep its expectation low due to the significant losses from poaching.
Sri Lankan studies estimate that an average of 1,056 Indian boats cross into Sri Lankan waters illegally, which means $ 19.72 million is lost from their shrimp catch alone. In total Indian fishermen poach at least 65 million kilograms of fish each year. Satellite images suggest that the poaching is done in a highly organised manner as the bulk of the boats operate in the night and scramble across the international maritime boundary line by four in the morning.
The Minister has also defended his soft-peddling by pointing out if reports are made to international bodies, most of South India’s fishing industry will be shut down and this could not be allowed because of the close relationship enjoyed by the two countries. As many as 400 fish processing plants subsist on this catch and the Minister during a press conference this week hinted that strong political backing is given by the Tamil Nadu Government.
Ironically, the illegal fishing is most affecting northern fishermen who have complained that the Indians use banned fishing methods, destroying coral beds and hacking the seabed beyond repair. Even though the Tamil Nadu Government identifies strongly with the northern population and are often vocal about their political rights, they stumble when it comes to protecting their economies and livelihoods.
At present 106 Indian fishermen are under arrest in Sri Lanka, putting even more pressure on the two Governments to resolve the issue. Other than agreeing that the way forward should be amicable, neither party seems to have an idea on how to proceed. Even the joint committee that was appointed to interact between the stakeholders has gone silent, while allegations of attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy and other grievances have mounted.
As incursions increase, Sri Lanka is left with little choice but to clamp down on Indian fishermen, with advice sought from the Attorney General regarding confiscation of boats and heavy fines. However, the Sri Lankan Government has agreed to release fishermen and agree that they are the by-catch in this deep net.
Currently Sri Lanka earns around $ 250 million annually from fish exports, out of which 48% is earnings from tuna. Last year Sri Lanka captured 486,000 metric tons of fish, according to Government records. Europe usually purchases around 38% of Sri Lanka’s fish exports, but this amount has fallen to 33% last year, with Japan increasing its stake from 37% to 47% and the US buying 17%.
Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has urged his counterpart at a recent meeting to expedite the release of fishermen and allow them to return home. However, this does nothing to reduce the influx of boats; Sri Lanka is running out of options and it’s placing diplomatic ties between the neighbours in brooding waters.
