|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 14 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Illegal fishing by Indians goes unabated by Aanton Nonis Indian fishermen have been straying into Sri Lankan territorial waters on illegal fishing for the past several months and it goes unabated despite stringent measures taken to combat it. The Sri Lanka Navy successfully apprehended about 25 fishermen and prosecuted them. About 30 fishing craft too have also been taken into custody recently, according to naval sources. The Fisheries Department Acting Director General, A. Hettiarachchi, told the `Sunday Observer' that a Memorandum of Understading (MoU) between Sri Lanka and India on the fishing issue is being drafted. The Indians have asked for a licence for fishing in Sri Lankan waters, but it has been turned down by the authorities. In a bid to stop to poaching, on many occasions Sri Lankan fishermen had assisted the authorities. Hettiarachchi said that radio equipment for transmission of information on illegal fishing activities have been provided by the Fisheries Department. On receipt of such information the Navy takes prompt action to arrest illegal encroachers on Sri Lankan waters. Due to illegal fishing Sri Lanka stands to lose a substantial amount by way of revenue, but the exact amount is yet not known. Commodore Jayantha Perera said that when they launch raids on illegal Indian fishing boats only the skipper and the craft are held in custody, with the rest of the fishermen released. Later, they are handed over to the Indian Navy at a common meeting point at sea before being taken to India. Most of the arrests had been made in the Northern fishing waters of Delft, Point Pedro and Katchchativu. Apart from the Indians, in certain instances Chinese vessels poaching on Sri Lankan waters too have been detected by the Fisheries Department. The Director General said that after the 1974 Maritime Agreement between Sri Lanka and India, any form of poaching was banned within the maritime boundaries of the two countries. The boundary was equidistant and measured 12 miles from each country. According to Commodore Perera, the poachers usually protested when they were caught saying that fishing was traditional and that they had done nothing wrong. However, they continue to do so despite being warned to move away from the Sri Lanka's maritime boundary line. Those who encroach deep into the country's shores are rounded up. "We give them all the possible chances before they are arrested. Only those who disobey our orders are taken into custody," the Commodore said. The international maritime laws are strictly followed by both the countries. The Navy conducts patrolling at random during most part of the day in a bid to stop illegal fishing on the country's territorial waters. Navy patrols are mostly concentrated on areas that are get frequently subjected to poaching. So far the boats taken into custody by the Navy are not being confiscated, but released on the completion of inquiries. However, the present laws will be amended soon to confiscate any type of craft used in any illegal activity. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
