Indian trawlers have field day in northern sea, number of poaching boats exceed 500 daily

• Representatives of fisheries leaders of both sides are expected to meet soon  

By Kelum Bandara in Jaffna  

The number of Indian trawl boats poaching in Sri Lanka’s northern sea has averaged well above 500 a day with local fishermen are not even venturing out for fishing on selected days, an official said.   

The 6th meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries was held on October 29, 2024 in Colombo against the backdrop.  

In the run up to the General Election, the fisheries issue has become an election topic in the northern island areas where the political parties try to woo votes with the promise to advocate for a solution to the crisis.   

According to area fishermen, Indian boats are much larger than theirs.   

During the recent JWG meeting, the Sri Lankan side insisted on deterrent measures to prevent Indian fishermen from poaching.   

However, the Indian side has taken a different view of it and asked Sri Lanka for earliest release of Indian fishermen and their boats under Sri Lankan custody.   

The Indian side also pointed out increase in detention of Indian fishermen and their boats in Sri Lankan custody, including imposition of long sentences and heavy fines, and stressed the need to uphold established understandings and modalities on issues related to fishermen, according to the press release issued after the meeting .   

The representatives of the fisheries leaders of both sides are expected to meet soon.