The World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP) has called for a permanent solution to the issue of incarceration of fishermen for crossing maritime borders and transgressing into the territory of neighbouring nations.
The leaders of the WFFP from several countries had gathered in Puducherry, India, to discuss the challenges facing fishermen across the world, with added emphasis on South Asia. The conference also decided to conduct the seventh general assembly of the movement in New Delhi in 2017.
Releasing the declaration of the conference, the leaders said, Promises for release of arrested fishermen are not sufficient and it is important that a policy decision should be arrived by these South Asian countries India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka that no arrest will be made of fishermen who have crossed border while fishing for their livelihood.
Noting that ocean grabbing’ in the form of privatisation of coastal lands and marine protected area is a very serious threat affecting small-scale fishing communities, they demanded that the governments concerned initiate action against such corporate profiteering interests.
Touching on the issue of killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, the conference demanded adequate compensation to the families of fishermen.
The meeting further adopted a programme of action for building capacity of small-scale fishing communities to facilitate the implementation of the International Guidelines on Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries adopted by Committee of Fisheries of the United Nations.
Mohammad Ali Shah, co-chair of WFFP, said, As a leading nation in fisheries, India has a critical role to play in raising the standard for community-based fishery management building.
A policy decision should be arrived by South Asian countries that no arrest will be made of fishermen who have crossed border.
2015, The Hindu