Conflict over Fisheries in the Palk Bay Region

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The Palk Bay Region, which separates the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu from northern parts of Sri Lanka., has been in the headlines during recent years. The rich fishing waters, especially lucrative on the Sri Lanka side of the maritime boundary, became a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu fishermen and the sir Lanka navy during the years of the ethnic conflict. With the declaration of a ceasefire between the Sri Lanka Government and the LITTE a new dimension has been added to the problem. Sri Lankan fishermen have resumed fishing operation: however, they find poaching by Indian trawlers into Sri Lanka waters to be a major hindrance to their livelihood. The irony of fisheries in the Palk Strait is that while the trawling ground is limited, trawlers are unlimited. As more and more fishermen start fishing for less and less, storm clouds gather over the Palk Bay. What is the background to this controversy? What are the major issues? Can Indian interests, especially the interests of Tamil Nadu fishermen, be ensured, fostered and protected without depriving the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen? Can India and Sri Lanka work together and jointly enrich the marine resources in the southern part of South Asia? This book is an attempt to throw light on these and other relevant critical issues. It is hoped the conclusions would stimulate fresh thinking in New Delhi, Colombo, Chennai and Jaffna.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR V. Suryanarayan

Prof. V. Suryanarayan is one of India's leading specialists in South and South East Asian Studies. He brings to bear in his teaching and research keen insights in history, political science and international relations. For more than two decades, he was associated with the Centre for South and South East Asian Studies, University and Madras, first as the founding Director and later as Senior Professor. He was Visiting Professor, Department of History, University of California, Los Angeles; Colombus College, University System of Georgia; School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and Peradeniya University, Sri Lanka. His major publications, including edited volumes, are: Singapre: Path to Independence (1978); Sri Lanka Crisis and India's Response (1991); South and Southeast Asia in the 1990's; Indian and American Perspectives (1992); Indian Ocean and Its Islands: Stratigic, Scientific and Historical Perspectives (1993); Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Challenges of Development (1994); Kachchativu and Problems of Indian Fishermen in the Palk Bay Region (1994) and Between Fear and Hope: Sri Lanka Refugees in Tamil Nadu (2000). A well-known commentator, he is a regular contributor to The HIndu and the Frontline. Dr. Suryanarayan is currently associated with the University of Calicut as Professor for Maritime Studies.