Indian fishermen want permits for BOTTOM TRAWLERS to enter SL waters

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda in March 2021 proposed to offer permits for Indian fishermen to enter into Sri Lankan water for fishing.

However, Tamil Nadu fishermen have now called for permits to be issued not only for small boats but for massive fishing trawlers as well. Tamil Nadu fisheries union chief N. J. Bose told reporters that both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen have been fishing in both sides of the sea for centuries and it should continue without an issue. "If permits are to be purchased, these permits should be made available for fishing trawlers as well," he said. On Tuesday (13), News 1st exposed how Indian fishing vessels illegally enter Sri Lankan waters not far from the Island of Delft, under the cover of darkness to pillage our marine resources. The Indian fishing vessels were using a fishing method banned in Sri Lanka, which is called Bottom Trawling. Bottom trawling is an industrial fishing method where a large net with heavy weights is dragged across the seafloor, scooping up everything in its path, from the targeted fish to incidentally caught, centuries-old corals. These nets are dragged by two large trawlers, equipped with powerful engines, larger than any fishing vessel used in Sri Lanka. Tamil National Alliance MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan speaking to News 1st the main reason for Indian fishermen to enter into Sri Lankan waters is that marine life in Indian waters is depleting rapidly. "News 1st spent 11 to 12 hours at sea to record evidence for Indians illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters. We only spoke on Indian encroachment, however now there is evidence to prove it," he said. "Indian invasions are increasing by the day," said Former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna MP Ramalingam Chandrasekaran adding the politicians in Tamil Nadu only speak of the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka when an election is taking place. He alleged Indian fishermen are pillaging Sri Lankan waters on the direct instructions of Indian politicians and officials. Ramalingam Chandrasekaran slammed the Indian side for their two-faced policies.