India-Sri Lanka Relations: Resolving the Palk Bay Fisheries Conflict
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (Bilateral relations, UNCLOS); Geography (Palk Strait, Gulf of Mannar, Katchatheevu); Environment (Bottom Trawling); Indian Economy (Exclusive Economic Zone - EEZ).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations. This is a classic, frequently asked topic in Mains.
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Economy): Conservation; Fisheries/Blue Economy.
Key Highlights from the News
The fishing crisis in the Palk Straits is one of the main points of contention between India and Sri Lanka.
The use of bottom trawling by large mechanized boats from Tamil Nadu, which violates Sri Lankan maritime borders and destroys the seabed, leads to environmental damage and depletion of fish stocks.
This issue is not merely a dispute between India and Sri Lanka, but also a livelihood dispute between the large trawler owners in Tamil Nadu and the artisanal fishers in both countries.
The article argues that the ownership of Katchatheevu island is a legally resolved issue under the 1974 India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Treaty and it is a misconception to link it with the fishing problem.
International laws like UNCLOS promote joint resource management in enclosed seas like the Palk Strait.
The article proposes encouraging discussions between fishermen of both countries, promoting deep-sea fishing instead of trawlers, and conducting joint research as a sustainable solution to this problem.
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