India-Sri Lanka Fishing Dispute

Context: There is recent debate around the issue of illegal fishing by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters.

Background of the dispute

• The dispute primarily concerns fishing rights in the Palk Bay region between India and Sri Lanka, where both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen depend on marine resources for their livelihood.
• Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, often cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) into Sri Lankan waters in search of better fishing grounds.
• The issue has intensified after India ceded Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka under the 1974 Indo-Lanka Maritime Agreement, which led to the restriction of traditional fishing rights for Indian fishermen.

Key Issues in the dispute

1. Illegal fishing and Bottom Trawling:

• Indian fishermen have been accused of bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters.
  • It is a fishing method that is considered highly destructive as it damages the seabed and depletes fish stocks and marine biodiversity.
• Sri Lankan Navy has taken strict measures, including patrolling, arresting 146 Indian fishermen, and seizing 18 boats in 2024 alone, to prevent illegal fishing activities.
• Indian fishermen argue that limited fishing zones in India’s coastal waters due to coral reefs and rocks force them to venture into Sri Lankan waters.

2. Livelihood Concerns:

• Economic disparity: Indian fishermen, who are relatively wealthier, use mechanised boats, while Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen, still recovering from the civil war, depend on traditional fishing methods.
• Indian fishermen face legal restrictions: The Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, restricts fishing activities along the Tamil Nadu coastline, which makes deep-sea fishing the only alternative.
• Joint deep-sea fishing schemes initiated in 2017 by the Indian government have not been widely adopted due to high investment costs and the reluctance of fishermen to shift from their traditional practices.

3. Diplomatic issues: Sri Lanka’s legal claims under international law: 

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) supports Sri Lanka’s right to regulate its waters.
  • Article 19 of UNCLOS considers unauthorised fishing in another country’s territorial waters a security threat.
  • Article 21 of UNCLOS allows Sri Lanka to implement laws to prevent violations of its fisheries regulations.
• The lack of direct involvement of the Tamil Nadu government in diplomatic talks has weakened India's negotiation position and led to concerns over the federal structure being overlooked.

Implications of Indo-Sri Lanka Fishing Conflict

• Humanitarian concerns: Frequent arrests of Indian fishermen lead to prolonged detentions, legal complications, and financial hardship for affected families. Psychological impact on fishing communities due to persistent fear of arrests and violence.
• Security implications: Increased coast guard deployments and surveillance in the Palk Bay region divert resources from other emerging maritime security threats. Concerns over piracy and drug trafficking, with reports of narcotics being transported through the Palk Strait.
• Political tensions: Allegations against the Sri Lanka Navy’s actions in the Palk Bay have fueled diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Political tensions have influenced India’s support for UN resolutions on Sri Lanka’s human rights record.
• Environmental degradation: Bottom trawling harms fish breeding grounds, depletes the stock, and damages the seafloor for a foreseeable future. Coral reef destruction disrupts marine ecosystems, impacting fish breeding and coastal protection.
• Economic Consequences: Overfishing has reduced fishery resources and fishers' income. Sri Lanka alleges that it loses around USD 730 million annually due to Indian poaching while Indian fishermen face declining incomes due to resource depletion and frequent arrests.

Way Forward

• Diplomatic Measures: 
  • Resume fishermen-level talks, which were last held in 2016, to build consensus and address concerns from both sides.
  • Ensure Tamil Nadu’s participation in bilateral discussions to reflect the concerns of affected fishing communities.
  • Utilise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Sri Lanka (April 2025) as an opportunity for high-level discussions on fisheries cooperation.
• Enforcing Maritime Regulations: 
  • Enhanced patrolling and surveillance of IMBL can help prevent illegal fishing activities.
  • A dedicated Joint Working Group (JWG) should be established to ensure continuous dialogue and problem-solving mechanisms.
• Sustainable Fisheries Management: 
  • Enforce a ban on bottom trawling and promote eco-friendly fishing techniques to protect marine ecosystems.
  • Provide financial support and training for deep-sea fishing to enable fishermen to transition to sustainable methods.
  • Sustainable fishing like catch limits and quotas can ensure fish populations recover quickly and release fish fingerlings to compensate for depleting resources.
  • Joint Marine Resource Management: A regional fisheries management authority should be established to regulate fishing activities and prevent overexploitation of marine ecosystems.
• Alternative Livelihood Programs: 
  • Tamil Nadu should offer alternative livelihoods and skill development in areas of marine tourism, seaweed farming, and inland aquaculture for fishers facing restrictions.
• Technology and Governance: 
  • Implement real-time satellite monitoring to track fishing activities and prevent violations of the IMBL.
  • Enhance coast guard coordination and create a structured dispute resolution framework to address conflicts effectively.
  • Promote regional cooperation through SAARC and BIMSTEC to develop a joint framework for sustainable marine resource management.

The countries need to focus on long-term resolution of the disputes to secure the livelihood security of both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen, while maintaining maritime peace, ecological balance, and economic cooperation.