Fisher activist welcomes agreement between India and Sri Lanka

Colombo, 21 January 2014: The governments of Sri Lanka and India have begun important talks to resolve a decade-old fishery crisis, which includes cross border fishing and the systematic detention of fishermen by the "invaded" country.

The first result came on last Wednesday, when New Delhi and Colombo agreed to release the fishermen in their respective custody. However, the two sides have not yet found ways to regulate maritime traffic between southern India and northern Sri Lanka.

AsiaNews talked to Herman Kumara about the issue. A special guest at the World Forum for Fisher People (WFFP), he is the president of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFS), which has been fighting for the rights of Sri Lankan fishermen.

When asked about his perception of the decision by the Ministry of Fisheries to begin talks on this issue, he said that many leaders in the fishing communities of the Northern Province have been working for a long time on the issue of Indian trawlers. Some of them have dealt with the issue for more than ten years. It is clear that the minister went with the leaders of fishing organisations close to him.

For this reason, he said, it is important to emphasise that participants should be knowledgeable about the issue rather than close to the Minister of Fisheries.

When asked about ‘what is the solution to the crisis’, Herman Kumara said that a monitoring mechanism should be established to pool resources together in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. A single authority should represent both countries, which should include fishermen, Navy personnel, Coast Guard and Foreign Affairs officials.

The fishing communities in India and Sri Lanka have so many young educated people who could act as guardians of the sea. These "Protectors of the Sea" could monitor the fishermen.

When asked about his response to the release of fishermen, Herman Kumara said: we welcomed the agreement between the two countries. Families have been eagerly waiting for the release of these people. However, even before the talks, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jeyalalitha had announced the release of 179 Sri Lankan fishermen held in her state. Whichever way it happens, we are happy to see the results.
Source: AsiaNews