The India-Sri Lanka fisheries dispute remains a persistent issue, straining diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries.Sri Lanka’s Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake, has urged India to take firm action against illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

While acknowledging India’s past support, he stressed the urgent need to protect the livelihoods of Tamil-speaking fishermen in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, who are severely impacted by the ongoing dispute.

Key Issues in the India-Sri Lanka Fishing Dispute

Recurrent Arrests & Boat Confiscation:

• Indian fishermen, often searching for fish, inadvertently cross into Sri Lankan waters due to engine failures or sudden weather changes.
• Sri Lankan authorities frequently seize boats, impose heavy fines, and, despite releasing fishermen, retain their vessels, causing economic distress.

Violation of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL):

• Indian fishermen assert historical fishing rights beyond the IMBL, based on traditional practices, leading to frequent arrests near the boundary.
• The Palk Bay, divided between India and Sri Lanka by the IMBL, remains a contentious fishing zone.
• As per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the IMBL legally separated territorial waters, defining maritime jurisdiction, resource exploitation, and fishing rights.

Depletion of Fish Stocks & Overfishing:

• Overfishing on the Indian side of the IMBL forces fishermen into Sri Lankan waters, which Sri Lanka views as poaching, threatening local livelihoods and security.

Ecological Damage from Bottom-Trawling:

• Sri Lanka strongly opposes bottom trawling, a method employed by Indian fishermen that involves dragging weighted nets along the seabed, damaging marine habitats like coral reefs.
• Sri Lanka seeks a sustainable fishing agreement to prevent over-exploitation of its marine resources.

Sri Lanka’s National Security Concerns:

• Sri Lanka alleges frequent, coordinated intrusions by Indian trawlers and fears a resurgence of Tamil militant groups using fishing vessels for illicit activities.

Katchatheevu Island Dispute:

• The ownership of Katchatheevu Island, an uninhabited landmass in the Palk Strait, remains a longstanding dispute.
• In 1974, an agreement between India and Sri Lanka recognized Katchatheevu as Sri Lankan territory, affecting Indian fishing rights.
• Sri Lanka restricts Indian fishermen’s access, limiting activities such as resting, drying nets, and visiting the Catholic shrine without a visa, further fueling tensions.

Implications of the India-Sri Lanka Fishing Conflict

Livelihood Challenges:

• Frequent arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy cause economic distress to their families.
• Sea confrontations have led to fatalities and missing fishermen, escalating risks for coastal communities.

Enforcement & Security Concerns:

• Monitoring the IMBL incurs significant costs, straining the naval resources of both nations.
• Distinguishing between fishermen and smugglers remains a challenge, making the IMBL vulnerable to illicit activities.

Political & Diplomatic Ramifications:

• Allegations of excessive action by the Sri Lankan Navy in the Palk Bay have heightened diplomatic tensions.
• For instance, India’s stance on UN resolutions related to Sri Lanka’s human rights record has been influenced by these tensions.

Environmental Impact:

• Bottom trawling disrupts marine ecosystems, destroying fish breeding grounds and depleting fish stocks.
• Seafloor recovery from trawling damage can take thousands of years, affecting long-term marine biodiversity.

Economic Consequences:

• Overfishing has diminished fishery resources, reducing fishermen’s income.
• Sri Lanka incurs an estimated annual loss of USD 730 million due to illegal fishing by Indian trawlers.

Way Forward to Resolve the India-Sri Lanka Fisheries Dispute

Joint Marine Resource Management:

• Establish a regional fisheries management authority to regulate fishing practices and prevent overexploitation of marine resources.
• Revitalize the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries—formed in 2016—to work towards a permanent solution to the conflict.

Promoting Deep-Sea Fishing and Alternative Livelihoods:

• Accelerate efforts to transition Tamil Nadu fishermen to deep-sea fishing.
• The Palk Bay Deep-Sea Fishing Scheme, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), should be strengthened to provide deep-sea fishing vessels and promote alternative livelihoods like seaweed farming and sea-ranching.
• These initiatives will reduce fishing pressure in disputed waters and minimize cross-border conflicts.

Enforcing Regulations and Phasing Out Bottom Trawling:

• Strict enforcement of the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, is essential to curb destructive bottom trawling.
• India should gradually phase out bottom trawling by offering financial incentives and subsidies for sustainable fishing methods.
• Sri Lanka, in turn, should designate specific fishing zones for joint and regulated fishing activities.

Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Technology Sharing:

• Strengthen bilateral cooperation on marine conservation, scientific research, and sustainable fishing technology.
• Implement real-time monitoring and cross-border cooperation, similar to the Australia-Indonesia Joint Patrol Program, to combat illegal fishing activities.

Humanitarian Considerations and Legal Frameworks:

• Establish a framework for humane treatment of detained fishermen, ensuring timely repatriation and legal assistance.
• Both nations should consider a dispute resolution mechanism based on the UNCLOS framework, which provides a structured and neutral approach to maritime conflicts.

Addressing the India-Sri Lanka fisheries dispute is not merely an economic or environmental necessity; it is a diplomatic priority in the evolving Indo-Pacific geopolitical landscape. By leveraging their shared maritime interests, both nations can deepen bilateral relations, promote regional stability, and align with broader objectives of peace, security, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.