Introduction

The Palk Bay, a narrow strip separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, has historically been a shared fishing zone. However, repeated arrests of Indian fishermen for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) underline a persistent challenge. Bottom trawling, a destructive fishing practice, has been the core issue fueling ecological degradation, diplomatic tension, and economic distress. The recent arrest on November 9, 2024, reopens the debate on reconciling traditional livelihoods with sustainable and legal marine resource use.

Why in the news?

The arrest of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy marks another flashpoint in the Palk Bay fishing dispute. This incident is significant because:

1. Persistence of conflict: Despite decades of talks, fishermen from both nations continue to cross maritime boundaries for catch-rich zones.
2. Scale of problem: Over 128 fishermen from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custody, with boats seized.
3. Diplomatic urgency: The issue features regularly in bilateral meetings, yet lacks a lasting policy resolution.
4. Ecological threat: The practice of bottom trawling continues to damage coral beds and marine biodiversity, making it a cross-border environmental crisis.

Why do Tamil Nadu fishermen continue to cross the IMBL?

1. Livelihood dependence: For thousands of families, fishing remains the only sustainable income source. The depletion of nearshore fish stocks has pushed them toward Sri Lankan waters.
2. Cost-pressure fishing: Each voyage involves high operational costs, forcing fishermen to maximize yield through fast, large-scale trawling.
3. Traditional persistence: The term “tradition” is often invoked to justify trawling, despite its destructive ecological footprint.
4. Rapid voyages: Quick trawling runs enhance profitability but heighten the risk of arrest and confiscation.

What is bottom trawling and why is it destructive?

1. Definition: Bottom trawling involves dragging weighted nets along the seabed.
2. Ecological damage: It destroys coral reefs, seabed habitats, and fish spawning grounds.
3. Stock depletion: Leads to overfishing and long-term decline of commercially valuable species.
4. Conflict trigger: Sri Lankan fishermen, especially from the Northern Province, oppose bottom trawling as it depletes shared marine resources vital for their post-war recovery.

What are the diplomatic and institutional mechanisms in place?

1. Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries: Met in Colombo on October 29, 2024 to address arrests and sustainable fishing practices.
2. Bilateral discussions: Fishermen’s representatives met counterparts in March 2024, but lacked formal sanction or actionable outcomes.
3. Pending initiatives: The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led People’s Power Party in Sri Lanka, in power for over a year, has yet to show urgency in resolving the dispute.

What policy solutions have been suggested?

1. Research collaboration: Proposal for a Palk Bay Research Station for ecosystem monitoring and sustainable fishing methods.
2. Technology transition: Gradual shift from bottom trawling to deep-sea fishing and small-boat operations.
3. Incentivization: Financial and policy support to Tamil Nadu fishermen to switch to non-destructive gear and practices.
4. Diplomatic liberalism: New Delhi may consider easing travel and fishing permits within limits to facilitate safe, sustainable livelihoods.
5. Regulatory measures: Imposing a progressive ban on bottom trawling in Indian waters to signal intent and compliance.

Conclusion

The Palk Bay issue is not merely a border dispute, it is a test of India’s ability to balance livelihood protection with ecological responsibility and regional diplomacy. Persuading fishermen to abandon bottom trawling requires education, compensation, and innovation, not coercion. A cooperative framework, rooted in mutual trust and science-based regulation, can transform a contentious boundary into a shared zone of prosperity and peace.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2013] In respect of India-Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy.

Linkage: Domestic political pressures from Tamil Nadu fishermen and state parties shape India’s diplomatic stance toward Sri Lanka. This internal-external linkage influences how New Delhi balances livelihood concerns with bilateral maritime cooperation.

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