Palk Bay Dispute: Tamil Nadu Fishermen and Sri Lankan Navy Conflict
The arrest of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on November 9, 2025, highlights the ongoing Palk Bay dispute between India and Sri Lanka. Despite the critical impact on the livelihoods of fishing communities, a resolution remains elusive.
Fishermen's Challenges and Practices
- 128 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and their boats remain under Sri Lankan custody.
- Fishermen from Tamil Nadu, driven by tradition, often cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in search of better fishing grounds.
- Bottom trawling is commonly practiced, which damages coral beds, shrimp habitats, and depletes fish stocks.
Impact on Northern Province Fishermen
- The fishermen of Sri Lanka's Northern Province are primarily concerned with the environmental damage caused by trawlers.
- They do not oppose crossing the IMBL if traditional fishing methods using small boats are employed.
Efforts and Political Stance
- A Joint Working Group on Fisheries met in Colombo on October 29, 2024.
- Fishermen leaders from Rameswaram visited Sri Lanka for discussions, but these lacked official approval.
- The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National People’s Power regime has not shown urgency in resolving the dispute.
Proposed Solutions
- Learn from the EU Baltic countries' experiences and establish equitable quotas.
- Propose a research station in the Palk Bay region to enhance resource conservation and safeguard the marine environment.
- India should launch a liberal assistance scheme to transition fishermen of the Northern Province to deep-sea fishing.
- Eventually impose a ban on bottom trawling.