In the run-up to the state elections, both the AIADMK and the DMK have been bringing up the issue of ceding of Katchatheevu in 1974 and blaming each other for the woes of fishermen in Palk Bay.While the AIADMK accuses the DMK of remaining silent and not acting against the handover, DMK refutes this and asks why the present government did not act when in power. A case is pending in the Supreme Court on this issue. The Centre seems to hold the view that it cannot be seen as going back on a bilateral agreement which has demarcated the waters according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. There is a need to examine the issue dispassionately to see how the issue, even after four decades, has not led to any change in the lives of the fishermen. When Katchatheevu was ceded in 1974, Karunanidhi, who was in power then, claims that he protested but there was no recourse to any legal measure.The ownership of the island itself was in question as both Indian and Sri Lankan academics claimed rights over the island. The 1974 agreement allowed Indian fishermen to dry their nets in Katchatheevu. This provision was lopsided as unless someone fished in the waters around the island, why would they dry their nets? In 1976, it was made clear that Indian fishermen are not allowed to fish on the Sri Lankan side. It is being made out that the reclamation of Katchatheevu will put an end to the misery of the fishermen. The ground reality is very different. Firstly , it must be understood that the Indians are in the wrong and only sustainable fishing practices will change the situation. The government, instead of prolonging the issue of rights, must invest in technology to begin efficient and eco-friendly fishing practices. Most fishermen do not stop at Katchatheevu but venture almost up to the Sri Lankan coast. Also historical rights that the agreement guarantees pertain to using traditional boats and not mechanised trawlers which have denuded the marine ecosystem. Ironically , many of the Indian fishermen are wage-earners on trawlers owned by rich politicians and are compelled to venture into Sri Lankan waters risking arrest. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen have objected to Indian trawlers eating into their livelihood. The Lankan Navy also is doing their job and is equally harsh on Pakistani and Bangladeshi fishermen. There have been many efforts to bring the Indian and Lankan fishermen to the negotiating table but these have met with little success due to lack of agreement on the modalities for fishing. Solutions have been proposed in the past, including obtaining a fishing area on lease in perpetuity , and identifying zones favourable for tuna fishing by Sri Lankan fishing vessels in exchange for an area around Katchatheevu for Indian fishermen. But the most important suggestion which has the potential to make a difference is investing in deep-sea fishing and training fishermen for multi-day shipping. With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of around 2.1 million square kilometers, this would facilitate optimum harnessing of resources. The idea was to promote a concept that catered to multi-day fishing in the EEZ along with cold storage on land and hinterland connectivity for the product to reach consumers. The TN vision document 2023 does contain some good proposals on this, but little has moved in this regard. Integrating technology , human resources, markets and best practices to promote livelihood issues can help bring dignity to the fisher men. With the commencement of the annual ban on fish KA-ing, this is the best time to talk about the deep sea fishing initiative, and engage with the fishermen to train and equip them for multi-day fishing. In conclusion, with or without Katchatheevu, there is a lot that can be done to improve the lot of Indian fishermen by weaning them away from mechanised fishing in the coastal waters and in Palk Straits in the context of dwindling catch and unwanted confrontations that have strained bilateral relations.
2016 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.