IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

12 Nov 2025 : Fishing troubles

 Editorial 1 : ​​​​Fishing troubles

Context

Recurring arrests highlight India–Sri Lanka Palk Bay fishing dispute.

 

Introduction

The arrest of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on November 9, 2025, underscores the unresolved Palk Bay dispute between the two nations. Beyond a border issue, it reflects the tension between livelihood and legality, as fishermen continue to cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in search of traditional fishing grounds and economic survival.

 

Arrest of Tamil Nadu Fishermen: A Reflection of the Palk Bay Legacy

The Immediate Incident

  • Date & Event: On November 9, 2025, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
  • Ongoing Issue: Seen by many as a routine incident, it is actually part of the long-standing Palk Bay disputebetween India and Sri Lanka.
  • Current Status:
    • 128 Tamil Nadu fishermen (including those held in 2024) remain in Sri Lankan custody.
    • Information cited from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

 

The Core Dispute: Livelihood vs. Boundary

  • Traditional Rights: Tamil Nadu fishermen depend on traditional fishing grounds that now fall within Sri Lankan waters.
  • Economic Drive: Voyages beyond the IMBL are short, profit-oriented operations, prioritizing speed over legality or environmental impact.
  • Fishing Method: The continued use of bottom trawling—a destructive method—has led to:
    • Damage to coral reefs and shrimp habitats.
    • Depletion of marine resources.
  • Sri Lankan Perspective:
    • Fishermen of the Northern Province, still recovering from the civil war, resent trawler operations.
    • Their concern lies not in cross-border entry, but in resource destruction.

 

Diplomatic and Community Engagements

  • Recent Meetings:
    • Joint Working Group on Fisheries met in Colombo (October 29, 2024).
    • Rameswaram fishermen visited Sri Lanka (March 2025) to engage with local counterparts—without official sanction.
  • Political Context:
    • The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power government in Sri Lanka (in office ~1 year) has shown little urgency in resolving the dispute.
    • Its approach remains rigid and strident.

 

Expert Recommendations for Resolution

  • Learning from Others: Draw lessons from the EU Baltic region, emphasizing equitable fishing quotas and sustainable practices.
  • Joint Research Station: Establish an India–Sri Lanka Marine Research Station in the Palk Bay to:
    • Conduct experiments to enhance marine life.
    • Preserve biodiversity and monitor ecological health.
  • Alternative Livelihoods:
    • India should initiate a liberal assistance scheme for Northern Province fishermen.
    • Promote deep-sea fishing as an alternative to trawling.
    • Gradually ban bottom trawling to ensure sustainable livelihoods.

 

Way Forward

  • The dispute is not merely territorial, but deeply human and ecological.
  • A solution requires joint conservation efforts, economic transition support, and mutual respect for traditional fishing rights.

 

Conclusion
The Palk Bay conflict is both a humanitarian and ecological challenge, demanding cooperative diplomacy and sustainable fishing reforms. India and Sri Lanka must balance livelihoods with marine conservation, promote deep-sea fishing alternatives, and establish joint research initiatives. A humane, eco-sensitive solution alone can end this cycle of arrests and resentment, ensuring peace and prosperity across shared waters.