Huraaaaaah! this is a matter to celebrate.
Because, once NAFSO facilitated the fisher to fisher dialogue between Sri Lankan and TN fishermen, both 2004 and 2010 in the history, the former fisheries minister and his henchmen repeatedly [Even one of them appeared at the dialogue as the advisor to the then fisheries minister Rajitha Senaratne] criticized NAFSO as the organization wanted to bring the fishermen to Sri Lankan waters.
However, if the dialogue and the outcome accepted by the GOSL and Indian governments, the issue should have been solved by now. Because, we firmly said NO TO PAIR TRAWLS. & PHASE OUT TRAWLS TOTALLY AFTER ONE YEAR. That was 2010 August.And now August 2016.
And, now the fishermen are going to have government sponsored meeting in Tamil Nadu with the pressure from Indian side.
What ever it is I like to mention[emphasize] that, NAFSO is the organization involves to address the issue continuously though there are Lot of Advisors Fisheries minister recommended to engage in the dialogue in India.
We are happy though with us or without us the people are moving forward. But, my colleague Antony Jesudasan said, "Why at least fishermen leaders do not want our engagement to this dialogue. We were with them in all the difficult time of their struggles and got the blame of our stand. All are opportunistic and selfish."
We can celebrate the People to People Dialogue is moving forward and would find an amicable solution.
For the information of those unknown to the agreement, I am now add to my blog the 2010 Chennai Agreement between Indian/TN and SL fishermen.
Text of Agreement*
between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen representatives who met at St.Thomas
Mount, Chennai, India, from 20th to 22nd August 2010.
English Translation (Original
in Tamil)
The following proposals are made by the Sri Lankan
team after the discussions it had with Indian fishermen (since its arrival in
India) from 16th to 22nd August on the issues of fishing
on the Indo-Sri Lankan border and after taking into consideration the various
proposals made by Tamil Nadu (fishermen).
- On basis of the firm assurance that Indian fishermen will stop mechanised trawl fishing in Sri Lankan waters within a period of one year, the following proposals have been made.
- Boundaries have been fixed for (trawl) fishing beyond the Sri Lankan-Indian border in Sri Lankan waters in a manner that the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen will not be affected.
This
will be as follows;
- In the Palk Bay, north of the Mannar Island, fishing can be done beyond a distance of 3 nautical miles from the Sri Lankan shore.(Fishing should be done seawards of Palathivu and Iranithivu).
- Fishing will be done (in the Palk Bay) on the following days in different months,
|
Month
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
Sunday
|
|
January
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
February
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
March
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
April
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
May
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
July
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
August
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
September
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
November
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
December
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
Total
number of days allowed for fishing: 70 days
Timings: Afternoon
4 pm to morning 4 am
Days
of fishing: Monday and Saturday
A.
In the Palk Straits of the
northern Jaffna
coast, fishing can be done up to 5 nautical miles south of the Sri Lanka-India
maritime border. (This will be applicable for the area starting from the west
of Delft Island
till East Wadamarachi border)
B.
In the Gulf of Mannar, south of
the Mannar Island, fishing can be done till a
distance of 5 nautical miles from the Sri Lanka-India border
1)
Use of pair trawls is to be
completely avoided. Care has to be taken not to affect small scale fishing
operations. Number of boats (coming from India) need to be fixed.
2)
These proposals will be placed
before the two Governments for their consideration. Government decision will be
final.
3)
All the conditions for fishing
(by Indian trawlers) should be monitored with the help of the two Governments.
4)
The monitoring group should be
composed of representatives from the fisheries officials, fishermen and the
Navy/Coast Guard from both countries.
5)
For taking action on violations
to the conditions imposed (on fishing by Indian trawlers), committees shall be
formed on both sides to take suitable corrective action. In the case of
disputes in the implementation of this agreement between the two sides, ARIF in
India and NAFSO will be responsible to mediate and sort out the issues.
6)
All difficulties arising in
implementing these proposals and new issues will be discussed in the next round
of talks between the two sides in Sri Lanka.
7)
With regards to fishing by
country boats, the use of mono-filament nets needs to be avoided and this will
be discussed in the next round of talks.
8)
These proposals will apply to
all Tamil Nadu mechanised boat fishermen (who operate in the areas mentioned in
this agreement).
The above proposals
have been accepted by fishermen representatives of both countries and their
signature affixed hereunder.
* Wherever
the original text becomes unclear in translation, additional information is
provided in brackets to clarify the matter. For matters of actual
implementation, it is the original Tamil text that will be valid.
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