Fisheries talks: Academics call for inclusive, long term approach
Wednesday, 22 January 2014 00:00
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International conference on resolving conflict in the Palk Bay kicks off in Colombo
Fisheries cooperative leaders want 27 January talks between Indo-Lanka fishermen to genuinely address concerns
Fishermen claim poaching Indian trawlers have had a devastating impact on livelihoods and ocean resources in Northern seas
By Dharisha Bastians
Days ahead of crucial talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fisheries associations, several Vice Chancellors of universities hosting an international conference on resolving the fisheries conflict in the Palk Bay, have called for the negotiation process to be inclusive and take a long term perspective.
Concluding the first day of an international conference on Conflict Resolution and Sustainable Fisheries Governance in the Palk Bay of South Asia at College House yesterday, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo Dr. Kumara Hirimburegama, Professor Oscar Amarasinghe of the University of Ruhuna and Professor Premakumara de Silva, Chairman of the Organising Committee said the Palk Bay fisheries conflict was of supra national proportions.
“These fishing problems have serious implications for the condition of marine resources and livelihoods on both sides of the Bay,” the conference organisers said.
Addressing a media conference following the first day sessions, representatives of fisheries cooperative associations from different parts of the Northern Province, said poaching in Northern seas by Indian fishing trawlers had a devastating impact on ocean resources in the region and the livelihoods of war battered communities.
President of the Mannar Fisheries Cooperative Union, Alaam who was at yesterday’s conference sessions, said the Northern fishermen believe next Monday’s (27) much anticipated talks must address the concerns of the fisher community. “It does not matter who is present at the talks but if our problems are not clearly understood, the talks would only serve to further other interests,” the cooperative leader said.
He added that if Mondays’ talks do not address the concerns of the Northern fishermen, they would resort to other ways to express their displeasure over the situation, with demonstrations and hunger strikes.
Speaking to Daily FT, Dr. Hirimburegama said that while the conference could not bring about a resolution to the conflict, because of its deeply political nature, academics have a duty to investigate and present the reality of the situation. “As an academic community we believe that our views will be taken seriously by both sides,” the Vice Chancellor said during a briefing of media personnel. He noted that if there was a request from the participants, the university would make a list of recommendations available to the Government of Sri Lanka about to resolve the conflict.
The two day international conference is co-hosted by the Vice Chancellors of the University of Colombo, Jaffna and Ruhuna and the University of Amsterdam in collaboration with the International REINCORPFISH project.
The conference brings together fisheries scientists, marine environmentalists and other experts to discuss the origins of the Palk Bay fisheries conflict and the need to protect the fragile marine ecosystems in the region. The second day of sessions at the conference will take place today.
The problem of large fishing trawlers crossing into Sri Lankan territorial waters for poaching have escalated tensions between the two countries with the Government in Colombo making arrests and confiscating Indian boats that cross the international maritime boundary line. Over 600 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy last year. Long awaited bilateral talks, between fisheries associations from both countries are set to take place in Chennai on 27 January.
