In a major development, representatives of the fishing community in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday made a commitment to their counterparts from Sri Lanka that they would phase out bottom trawlers in three years.

Till then, the Sri Lankan side was asked to allow fishing with trawlers for 83 days a year.

Speaking to the ‘The Hindu’ after an eight-hour meeting involving fishermen on either side in Chennai, Rameswaram Fishermen Association leader N. Devadas said the Sri Lankan representatives were guaranteed that types of nets banned by the two governments would not be used for fishing.

“We also assured them that Tamil Nadu fishermen will not enter Sri Lakan waters within five nautical miles from the island-nation’s shore,” he said.

The meeting, facilitated by both countries, saw ten Sri Lankan and 17 Indian fishermen participating.

Sources who attended the meeting said the issue of trawlers dominated the talks, with the Sri Lankan side making strong comments on how their use had “plundered” resources in the Palk Strait. Being a war-torn community, they said fisheries were an important part of rebuilding their lives and the use of trawlers could not be allowed.

“The Sri Lankan side had no issues with us using normal boats in their waters,” Mr. Devadas said. The reasoning for the three years’ permission was that the State government was helping in replacement of these trawlers through subsidies. It would take a minimum of three years to replace all the trawlers with other types of boats.

However, the meeting did not lead to a joint resolution. The Sri Lankan representatives will place the assurances made by the Tamil Nadu side before their community in the North and East provinces and would communicate the decision to the Tamil Nadu government by May.
(The Hindu)