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| Sunday, 10 July 2005 |
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SSCP detrimental to North-East fishing industry by Vavuniya Special Correspondent Fishermen from Pesalai and Talaimannar in Mannar district, Friday complained to NorthEast Governor Tyronne Fernando that deepening of the Palk Straits under the Sethusamudram Canal Project (SSCP) would destroy the breeding ground of fish in the sea territory close to Mannar shore. Mr. Tyronne Fernando during his one day visit to Mannar Friday afternoon met with groups of fishermen in Pesalai and Talaimannar separately and inquired about their grievances and difficulties, Mannar district secretariat sources said. Fishermen further brought to the notice of the Governor that the monthly catch in their sea territory is about 300 metric tonnes most of which is transported to south. Poaching by Indian fishermen and the Sethusamudram Canal Project are certain to adversely affect their livelihood by reducing their catch, sources said. Tyronne Fernando requested the fishermen to submit their grievances in writing to enable him to take up the matter with the Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister for further action, sources said. Pesalai fishermen told the Governor that majority of them had fled from their homes in their boats and sought refuge in South India following the outbreak of violence in 1983. Since the signing of the ceasefire agreement refugees are returning leaving their boats in South India. Most of the sixty boats left in South India by them had been damaged. In some instances Indian authorities are refusing to release the boats that are in good condition, Mannar fishermen pointed out to the Governor, sources said. |
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