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Fishing in Troubled Waters: Tamil Nadu Fishermen and India-Sri Lanka Relations

The Tamil Nadu factor in India-Sri Lanka relations that had been quiet for long has come to the fore in the form of the fishermen issue. Frequent incidents of fishermen from Tamil Nadu getting shot in the India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary have enraged all political parties of the state. While Tamil Nadu parties blame the Sri Lankan Navy for the shootings, the Sri Lankan government points fingers at the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). What is the true picture? Would this issue upset the present cordial relations between the two countries? What is the way out?

From Tamil Nadu about 18,000 boats of different kinds conduct fishing along the India-Sri Lanka maritime border. Ever since violence broke out in Sri Lanka two decades ago, fishing activity has not been peaceful. Tamil Nadu fishermen are arrested, harassed, or shot, either by the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) or the LTTE. For SLN, cutting off the supply lines of the LTTE through sea from Tamil Nadu is high priority and it regards straying Indian fishermen a hindrance in maintaining strict vigil. Therefore, acts of firing may also be to scare them away. Often, Indian fishing trawlers are mistaken for LTTE's multi-day trawlers, used for transporting war material from high seas. During nights, the task of distinguishing ordinary fishing crafts from LTTE boats in disguise, becomes daunting. SLN also suspects that some Indian fishermen are being used to transport rations, medicines and materials for the LTTE from the sub-continent. The LTTE is equally concerned about encroachment by Indian fishermen of its "territorial waters" and resorts to firing to shoo them away. Such firing, brings discredit to the SLN and is a bonus for the LTTE. At the same time, the LTTE tries to exploit Indian fishermen to smuggle supplies from Tamil Nadu.

From the fishermen's point of view, straying takes place inadvertently, due to sheer ignorance about maritime boundaries. At times, the drift is because of engine failure or strong currents. At the same time however, quite a few Indian fishermen engage in free floating to exploit marine resources in Sri Lankan waters, knowing fully well, the risks involved in crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Sri Lankan waters have rich untapped shrimp and other marine products. Growing markets for marine resources and increasing investments back home have emboldened Tamil Nadu fishermen to take risks. Many of these fishermen have also asserted their traditional fishing rights around Kachchathivu, notwithstanding the Maritime Agreement of 1974 and Exchange of Letters of 1976 between the two countries. Under the Agreement, although Indian fishermen are allowed access to Katchthivu for rest, drying of nets and for the annual St. Anthony's festival, they have not been granted fishing rights around the island.

Irrespective of the causes, the problems confronting Tamil Nadu's fishermen continue to act as an irritant in India-Sri Lanka relations, mainly due to pressure from political parties of the southern state. At least on this issue, all parties of Tamil Nadu share a common view. Presently, the dominant issue in the state, pertaining to Sri Lanka, is the problems confronting its fishermen. Instead of advocating unrealistic solutions like retrieving Katchativu however, the parties should concentrate on solving the problems of the fishermen.

As long as the straying of fishermen into Sri Lankan waters continues, no solution will be workable. If the fishermen cite difficulties in identifying the IMBL, then Indian Navy's proposal of fitting Global Positioning System (GPS) in every boat should be implemented. GPS provides the fastest and most accurate method for fishermen to navigate, measure speed and determine locations. The governments of India and Tamil Nadu could share the costs of installation, with a little contribution from the concerned fishermen. The local administration should take the responsibility of creating awareness of its usage among the fisher folk. It is appreciable that the state government has already approved a pilot project of Rs7.7 crore to fit GPS devices on board the fishing vessels from the Ramanathapuram district, from where a majority of fishermen set sail towards Sri Lankan waters.

To prevent smuggling activities and shooting incidents due to "mistaken identity", 'coordinated patrolling' between the navies of both countries can be considered. It is an alternative to 'joint patrolling', which is not favoured by the Indian Navy which seeks to avoid getting embroiled militarily in the island's conflict. At the same time, SLN should take greater care in handling straying Indian fishermen. Additionally, developing fish farming extensively in Indian waters would prevent its fishermen from venturing into other waters in search of a 'big catch'. Until then, as in the case of oil exploration blocks, India can consider leasing fishing blocks, especially those identified as 'surplus total available catch', from Sri Lanka. Through this, Sri Lanka could also earn much required foreign exchange.