Common fishing zone: top level talks needed - Dy. Minister

by P. Krishnaswamy

The issue of a 'Common Fishing Zone' between Sri Lanka and India to resolve the decades-long fishermen's cross-border problem is crucial and has to be decided by the Cabinets of the two Governments, Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera told the Sunday Observer commenting, on Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao's recent suggestion.

Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna also made similar proposals, but it is a matter beyond the jurisdiction of the relevant Ministries and there should be discussions between the Heads of State of the two countries, he said.

The primary problem with regard to poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters is non-traditional methods of fishing such as bottom trawling and mono-filament fishing, which destroy fishlife and the breeding grounds including the robust coral reef along the Mannar basin, the Deputy Minister said.

Repeated discussions between the representatives of the fisher communities of the two countries and Government officials on preventing it have been futile, thus posing a threat to the livelihood of the future generations of the community, he said.

Under this scenario, the Northern fishermen too have protested against the presence of Indian fishermen in traditional Sri Lankan fishing grounds, he said. The Government of Sri Lanka has banned bottom-trawling and other destructive methods of fishing in the larger interests of the fishing community in the region, he said.