Palk Bay Fisheries Dispute: India-Sri Lanka Issues and Solutions
Why in the news
Sri Lankan Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake called for decisive action against Indian trawlers, reflecting the anger of Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen and reviving a long-running dispute.
Key facts
- Bottom trawling depletes fish stocks, harms habitats and breeding cycles; it is banned in Sri Lanka but continues among Indian fishermen.
- The International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) is often crossed; the Sri Lankan Navy responds with arrests and boat seizures.
- Sri Lanka’s stance under the NPP hints at stricter enforcement.
- Talks were last held in 2016; India has backed dialogue.
Two fishing communities
| Feature | Tamil Nadu and Puducherry | Northern Province, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet | Larger mechanised vessels | Traditional, small-scale boats |
| Situation | Limited grounds because of coral reefs and rules | Still recovering from the civil war |
Policy dilemma
- Deep-sea fishing is the suggested alternative, but costs, tradition and weak finance slow uptake; the ₹1,600-crore scheme saw limited success.
- Proposal: merge it with Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (₹20,050 crore).
- Alternative livelihoods: seaweed farming, open-sea cage aquaculture, ocean ranching.
- Negotiation windows: the two-month April fishing ban and Modi’s April visit to Sri Lanka.
Way forward
- Short term: resume fishermen-level talks, regulate trawling strictly in Tamil Nadu, strengthen alternative livelihoods.
- Long term: bigger deep-sea incentives, a bilateral fisheries management framework and coordinated maritime patrols.
Exam angle
- Boundary line: IMBL.
- Scheme with ₹20,050 crore fund: PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.