Fishing Industry: India and Sri Lanka Need a Boost

The neglect of the fishing industry by India and Sri Lanka has resulted in an ongoing dispute over fishing rights in the Palk Strait. Developing the fishing industry could help resolve the conflict and boost the economies of both countries.

The Blue Economy

Origin of the Concept

Gunter Pauli’s book “The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs” (2010) introduced the Blue Economy concept.
It aimed to identify 100 of the best nature-inspired technologies that could impact global economies sustainably, while providing basic human needs such as potable water, food, jobs, and shelter.

Inclusive Approach and Objective

The Blue Economy seeks to integrate Ocean Economy development with principles of social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and innovative, dynamic business models.
The ultimate objective is to create a sustainable and prosperous future for coastal communities and economies.

Environment-Friendly Maritime Infrastructure

The Blue Economy aims to create environment-friendly infrastructure in the ocean, allowing for larger cargo consignments to move directly from the mothership to the hinterland.
This infrastructure will reduce the carbon footprint of marine transportation and promote a cleaner, more sustainable ocean economy.

Indo-Sri Lankan Dispute over Fishing Rights in Palk Strait

Maritime boundary agreement:

Signed in 1974 and 1976
Allowed fishermen of both nations to fish in each other’s waters
Encouraged by the tradition of fishing in each other’s waters

Absence of physical demarcation:

Lack of physical demarcation of maritime boundaries
Resulted in Indian fishermen encroaching into Sri Lankan waters during the civil war

Rising conflicts:

After the end of hostilities, Sri Lankan fishing community sought to reclaim their rights

Conflict with Indian fishers arose

Sri Lankan Navy intervened, resulting in arrests and even fatal shootings of Indian fishermen

Neglect of the Fishing Industry by India and Sri Lanka

India’s marine fishery:

Dominated by the artisanal sector

Can afford only small sailboats or canoes to fish for subsistence

Lack of investment:

India’s fisheries are being transformed into a commercial enterprise

Lack of investment in deepwater fleet

Most fishing takes place in coastal waters, leading to competition with neighboring countries

Underexploited resources:

Rich resources in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone remain underexploited

Much of the catch from India’s fishing grounds taken away by better-equipped fishing fleets of other Indo-Pacific countries indulging in illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing

Growing tensions:

Neglect of the fishing industry has resulted in dwindling fish stocks

Rising fuel costs

Growing tensions between India and Sri Lanka

Development of the Fishing Industry

China:

Mobilized its fishing industry to meet rising demand for protein in the Chinese diet

Now a fishery superpower

India:

Needs to invest in a deepwater fleet to exploit rich fishing grounds in its Exclusive Economic Zone

Needs to compete with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region

India must focus on modernization:

Mechanization and modernization of fishing vessels

Developing deep-water fishing fleets

Building a DWF fleet around the mother ship concept

Developing modern fishing harbors

PM Matsya Sampada Yojana – A Scheme to Boost Fisheries Sector in India

PM Matsya Sampada Yojana is a scheme launched by the Government of India in 2020.

The scheme aims to boost the fisheries sector in the country.

The scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 20,050 crores.

The scheme is implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

Key Areas of Intervention

The scheme is focused on four key areas of intervention, which include:

Development of infrastructure and modernization of the fisheries sector.

Fisheries management and regulatory framework.

Fisheries post-harvest operations and value chain.

Aquaculture development.

Development of infrastructure and modernization of the fisheries sector

This involves the creation of new fishing harbors, fish landing centers, cold chain facilities, and other related infrastructure.

The objective is to provide better infrastructure for fishermen to increase their productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

Fisheries management and regulatory framework

This involves strengthening the regulatory framework for fisheries and aquaculture.

Promoting sustainable fishing practices and conserving marine biodiversity are also key objectives.

Fisheries post-harvest operations and value chain

This involves promoting the processing and value addition of fish and fishery products.

Improving market access for fishermen and fish farmers is also a key objective.

Aquaculture development

This involves promoting the development of inland fisheries and aquaculture.

Creating new fish farms and supporting the adoption of modern technologies for fish farming are also key objectives.

Conclusion

Neglect of the fishing industry by India and Sri Lanka has resulted in an ongoing dispute over fishing rights in the Palk Strait.

Developing the fishing industry could help resolve the conflict and boost the economies of both countries.

The government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana could be used to form an Indo-Sri Lankan Fishing Corporation to provide a huge boost to the fishing industries of both nations and remove an unwanted irritant in bilateral relations.