AHMEDABAD/JAMNAGAR: Fifty-two Pakistani fishermen, lodged in the Bhuj and Jamnagar district prisons, were released on Sunday.
The fishermen, apprehended by various agencies from the Arabian Sea, have been taken to the India-Pakistan border at Wagah, where they will be handed over to the Pakistani authorities, the police said.
“Twelve fishermen from the Bhuj prison were released and taken to the Wagah border today [Sunday],” Kutch SP Wabang Jamir told PTI.
From the Jamnagar district prison, 40 Pakistani fishermen were released . — PTI
-------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Kocherry
World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) Special Invitee,
National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF), India
National Alliance of Peoples Movements(NAPM), India.
48, Vayakarai, Manavalakurichy-P.O., Kannyakumari Dt.,Tamilnadu-629252.India
Sunday, November 7, 2010
52 Pakistan Fishermen Set Free
AHMEDABAD/JAMNAGAR: Fifty-two Pakistani fishermen, lodged in the Bhuj and Jamnagar district prisons, were released on Sunday.
The fishermen, apprehended by various agencies from the Arabian Sea, have been taken to the India-Pakistan border at Wagah, where they will be handed over to the Pakistani authorities, the police said.
“Twelve fishermen from the Bhuj prison were released and taken to the Wagah border today [Sunday],” Kutch SP Wabang Jamir told PTI.
From the Jamnagar district prison, 40 Pakistani fishermen were released . — PTI
--
-------------------------------------------------------
Thomas Kocherry
World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) Special Invitee,
National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF), India
National Alliance of Peoples Movements(NAPM), India.
48, Vayakarai, Manavalakurichy-P.O., Kannyakumari Dt.,Tamilnadu-629252.India
Monday, November 1, 2010
Fisher People Say NO Sea Planes for Negombo Lagoon
A Kalapu Charika has been organized by the Alliance for Protection of Negombo Lagoon today. There were more than 3000 people gathered at the "Kurulu Kele" St. Jude Thadewus's Church at Seeduwa. The people who joined the lagoon tour displayed placards and registered their protest against the proposed Sea Planes project at Negombo lagoon.
Marcus Fernando, the chairperson of Negombo Lagoon Fisher People's Union at Pitipana said, "If government says they will bring Sea Planes to Negombo lagoon at any cost, we say, we will not allow it to happen at any cost. Politicians should bring Sea Planes on the lives of 3500 lagoon fishermen of Negombo lagoon. Our Lagoon is our mother. We totally depend on the lagoon for our survival. If lagoon face any problem, we won't tolerate at all."
People were registered their anger and protest against the proposed Sea Plane site while gathering at the St. Jude Church.
Fr. Lester Nonis gave very inspiring sermon to unite in faith and work hard till the people win. Needless to say that the way we should work. People and the lagoon are in a stage of danger with destruction. So, the people should come forward. Need to protect the Mud Bay, Coconut pillar bay, Kirala Bay where the most richest prawn breeding and feeding grounds of Lagoon. I am son of a fisherman. I know the importance of Mangroves. Sea weeds, prawns and bio diversity of Negombo Lagoon. We need not to allow any one to destroy our precious resource which is the lagoon, added Fr. Nonis.
"When we meet our Fisheries Minister yesterday, Hon. Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, he said he can not do anything about the sea planes project and go to President and ask for a solution. Why do we need a fisheries minister unless he attend and solve the issues faced by fisher people.? We need to go and talk to our father and not to go to any other person to share our difficulties, fears. But, there is no power for fisheries minster too. It is the power is in the hand of few in the country. This is an issue of democracy. We need not the top to bottom development approach any more.
Subhasinie Kamalaneshan, the coordinator, Sri Vimukthi Fisher Women Organization said after the gathering at the press.
Aruna Roshantha, the president of Eksath Dheewara Sangamaya, Pitipana said "We are concerned about the life and livelihoods of the 10,000 families. More than 3500 fishers alone depend on the Lagoon. Where do we go, if some thing happen adversely to Negombo Lagoon. Who cares? What are the plans for the families who will loose their only livelihood of Lagoon Fishing? We all are concern about it. This should not to be allowed to happen added Aruna at the press briefing.
"There more than 25,000 landless people in Negombo alone. We saw News paper advertisement mentioning that there are land sales. Each purchase will exceed RS. 75,000 and the landless poor become more vulnerable with tourism. We as landless group know the consequences when the tourism come in. We are totally against this situation."
Ramesh Nilanga narrated at the protest today.
We will continue this struggle till we win. It is not only youth & adult come together to prevent them from the displacement with "Sea Grabbing". There should be women also come with children and to come forward to see the progress today. We would see how all of the others come to a work with the determination.
Herman Kumara
01.11.10
Saturday, October 30, 2010
NFF-India is fighting against the CRZ Notification
Today nearly about 70,000 fisher people from along the coatal areas of Maharashtra gather in to show their protest against the CRZ NOTIFICATION DATED 15th Sept 2010 under the leadership of Shri Rambhau Patil General Sectretary of NATIONAL FISH WORKER FORUM AND CHAIR PERSON OF MAHARASHTRA MACHHIMMAR KRUTI SAMTI, large number of this fishers has participated by closing their one day business of fishing and marketing. all the members of Maharashtra Krutisamiti , shri Nanu patil Kiran koli, philip Mastan and represantative from Anu urja Praklap virodhi Sangharsh Samiti's Vaishali Patil and Brigadier coloner Sushir Sawant has address the gathering and warn the fisher of the danger faced by the CRZ NOTIFICATION.
The 70000 fisher sat on dharna from 10.00 am to 6 .pm however no official from the government had time to visit to the people who had sat on dhara from morning , later on the police official conveyed that the Minister for Environment , Maharashtra State had called the few presentative from the offiece bearer of Maharashra Kurti Samit, howeve innitailly people refused to go to the Mantralaya since alll the people were demanding the presence of Minister at the Dharna Site, later on it was decide to send some representative to have a dialouge with the minister, shri Suresh Shetty has given an assuarance that your represantavies will be called after 1st of November, the mitteeing will be consucted with all the concern minister such as Environment Minister, Revanue Minister , Chiefminister , Fisheries Minister to resolve the Problem of Fisher ,. On arriving at the site of Dharna , and while putting infront of the gathering at azad Maidan , what has happend in Mantralay the peole showed their anger toward our leader why you have not taken an assuarances in writing some of them want to take charge of the stage , however later on they have asked to take it easy if the govt did not listen to our say will will intensify our agitation, and at last at 6.30 it was declaired that todays programm is over ,
Friday, October 22, 2010
"We are Concern on your Plight" Says, Pakistani People on Indian Brothers.
PFF-Pakistan and PILER organizations are playing vital role to release Indian Fishermen who were held in Jail for months, if not years. This is another important work done by PILER and PFF-Pakistan in Solidarity with Indian Fishers.
I am uploading this news as it shows the concern, commitment and the Solidarity of the Pakistani people on their Indian Brothers.
Congratulations PILER & PFF!
Herman Kumara,
22.10.10
Dear All,
On the PILER and PFF constitution petition for release of Indian fishermen, the Supreme Court had ordered the government to complete trial of 142 Indian under-trial fishermen within six weeks and then release them accordingly.
The good news is that the concerned court has completed the trial of 142 Indian fishermen and also asked the government to repatriate them to their country.
News in daily Dawn (English):
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/jail-authorities-told-to-prepare-for-repatriation-of-142-fishermen-200
News in daily Express (Urdu): http://express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101080210&Issue=NP_KHI&Date=20101022
Congratulations to all peace loving people.
Shujauddin Qureshi
Senior Research Associate
Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER),
Gulshan-e-Maymar, Karachi-75340
I am uploading this news as it shows the concern, commitment and the Solidarity of the Pakistani people on their Indian Brothers.
Congratulations PILER & PFF!
Herman Kumara,
22.10.10
Dear All,
On the PILER and PFF constitution petition for release of Indian fishermen, the Supreme Court had ordered the government to complete trial of 142 Indian under-trial fishermen within six weeks and then release them accordingly.
The good news is that the concerned court has completed the trial of 142 Indian fishermen and also asked the government to repatriate them to their country.
News in daily Dawn (English):
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/jail-authorities-told-to-prepare-for-repatriation-of-142-fishermen-200
News in daily Express (Urdu): http://express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101080210&Issue=NP_KHI&Date=20101022
Congratulations to all peace loving people.
Shujauddin Qureshi
Senior Research Associate
Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER),
Gulshan-e-Maymar, Karachi-75340
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Fisher People Say NO Sea Planes for Negombo Lagoon
Hundreds of People gathered at Jubilee Hall Negombo yesterday very strongly said,
"We need not any Sea Planes for Negombo Lagoon."
There are 3500 fisher people directly engage in Fishing while 1500 involve indirect fisheries activities in the Lagoon. It is also a Ramsar Wetland with the Muthurajawela Marsh which covers the livelihood of more than 10,000 families around the 35 villages in Negombo lagoon.
Sri Vimukthi Fisher Women Organization, Lagoon Fisher People's Organization in collaboratio with the St.Anthony's Fisheries Organization had convened the meeting at Negombo.
"We all are gratitude to Lagoon. It provided our daily income. We all are depending on the lagoon. Anything disturb the lagoon means we all will disturb our lives", says Mary Shirani of Kadolkele, whose husband is a lagoon fisherman.
Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda who attended the meeting said, "We need to expect some difficulties, if we want to protect the lagoon. There may be some sort of bribes to be given. A net, small plot of land, a boat, or many more. But, those will lust temporarliy. If we all want to protect the lagoon, we need to have a common understanding what is happening today in the name of development, added Fr.Sarath.
Aruna Roshantha of Eksath Fisheries Organization at Pitipana said, we all need to united and go forward if we all want to get the victory against the sea planes. But, we can not think our victory, if there are people who want to betray people and work with the corrupted politicians. We need to form a social movement which protect the rights of the fisher people added Aruna.
Fr. Sherad Jayawardene, FR. Sriyananda Fernando were also addressed the gathering with proposing some practical actions to be carried out.
At the end, a core group was selected and every body volunteered to the work to be carried out. The next core group meeting will be held on 22nd October.
The core group decided Herman & Subashinie of SVFWO to be served as conveners of the group.
Herman Kumara,
"We need not any Sea Planes for Negombo Lagoon."
There are 3500 fisher people directly engage in Fishing while 1500 involve indirect fisheries activities in the Lagoon. It is also a Ramsar Wetland with the Muthurajawela Marsh which covers the livelihood of more than 10,000 families around the 35 villages in Negombo lagoon.
Sri Vimukthi Fisher Women Organization, Lagoon Fisher People's Organization in collaboratio with the St.Anthony's Fisheries Organization had convened the meeting at Negombo.
"We all are gratitude to Lagoon. It provided our daily income. We all are depending on the lagoon. Anything disturb the lagoon means we all will disturb our lives", says Mary Shirani of Kadolkele, whose husband is a lagoon fisherman.
Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda who attended the meeting said, "We need to expect some difficulties, if we want to protect the lagoon. There may be some sort of bribes to be given. A net, small plot of land, a boat, or many more. But, those will lust temporarliy. If we all want to protect the lagoon, we need to have a common understanding what is happening today in the name of development, added Fr.Sarath.
Aruna Roshantha of Eksath Fisheries Organization at Pitipana said, we all need to united and go forward if we all want to get the victory against the sea planes. But, we can not think our victory, if there are people who want to betray people and work with the corrupted politicians. We need to form a social movement which protect the rights of the fisher people added Aruna.
Fr. Sherad Jayawardene, FR. Sriyananda Fernando were also addressed the gathering with proposing some practical actions to be carried out.
At the end, a core group was selected and every body volunteered to the work to be carried out. The next core group meeting will be held on 22nd October.
The core group decided Herman & Subashinie of SVFWO to be served as conveners of the group.
Herman Kumara,
Report of the Final Session of SSF Regional Conference: Securing Small Scale Fishers-Rights Based Approach
Among the 3 regional WSs, WFFP delegation attended the Bangkok ws too.
From Mohommed Ali Sha of PFF, Pakistan, Saranapala De Silva of United Fishers & Fish Workers Congress[UFFC], Suraji Sudiratmija of Serikat Nelayan of Indonesia, Gerard Corpuz of PAMALAKAYA, Philippines, Geetha Lakmini of NAFSO, Sri Lanka, WICHOKSAK RONNARONGPAIREE, The Federation of Southern Fisher Folk, Thailand had attended from WFFP. Some of our members attended with the support of WFF as they wanted WFFP to fill up their slots too.
The Bangkok Regional workshop report of Small Scale Fishers organized by Food & Agriculture Organization[FAO] has been circulated.
I would like to add this for your information as this will help you to understand what has happened at Bangkok during 6-8 October.
Herman Kumara
Rights – of fishers, fishing communities and small-scale fishers
• Right to life and livelihood.
• Right to access resources.
• Rights to manage coastal and inland fisheries resources.
• Right to food.
• Right to decent work
• Right to safety at sea and in the work place.
• Right to be protected by Law.
• Right to participate in local governance.
• Right to information.
• Right to politics.
• Right of users to be involved in management.
• Right to participate in local governance.
• Right to advocacy.
• Right to basic amenities.
• Rights to make rules/regulations on fishing/fishery management.
• Right to participate in decision making.
• Right to social protection, security and access to social services.
• Right of women to participate in decision making.
• Recognition of community and customary rights.
• (Guarantee of social protection, decent working and living conditions and social security for SSF).
• Guaranteed release and repatriation of all fishers detained for trans-boundary trespass and/or drifting.
• Right to rehabilitation after natural disasters.
• Right of representation of fisheries associations in stakeholder/sectoral dialogue and decision making.
• Right to access/area/tenure rights.
• Coastal protection (either infrastructure or natural barriers).
• Rights to tenure or use of coastal land (also to promote habitat conservation).
• Access to fisheries, fishing areas (linked to zoning, and can also include territorial use rights TURF).
• Responsible and sustainable SSF as a right for future generations.
• The rights of men, women and children in SSF to an equitable, safer and sustainable livelihood are ensured.
Principles
• Appropriate consultation mechanisms.
• Prior and informed consent.
• Transparency and accountability.
• Principle of Subsidiarity.
• Formal integration of SSF into coastal, riverine and rural development policies.
• Respect for traditional/indigenous knowledge and local wisdom.
• SSF have specific needs reflecting the dependency, complexity and vulnerability of their livelihoods.
• Policies and interventions associated with disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change (CC) should take into account and respond to the specific needs of the SSF sector.
• Consensus should be built on approaches, systems and strategies to address the needs of SSF in relation to disaster preparedness (including prevention and mitigation), response and rehabilitation.
• Engagement and consultation with NGO’s and CBO in support of SSF.
• These approaches, systems and strategies should reflect the needs and requirements of different stakeholders in small scale fisheries, including men, women and children involved in capture, post harvest and ancillary work.
• Principle of gender equality.
• Recognition of the importance of ensuring the involvement of participants in SSF in decision making processes regarding DRM and CC approaches, systems and strategies.
• Fisheries policies and strategies should include DRM and CC considerations and fully reflect the specific needs of small-scale fisheries.
• NGO’s concerned with SSF should be afforded the opportunity to fully participate in planning and implementation of relevant legislation, policies and programmes.
• Policies and interventions associated with DRM and CC take into account and respond to the specific needs of the SSF sector
Goals
• Goals in SSF should be informed by the MDGs.
• Security from external threats (pollution, industrial fishing, displacement).
• Reduce conflict with other resource users.
• Enable secured access to markets for SSF products.
• Products of SSF meet food hygiene requirement.
• Elimination of child labour.
• Promotion of decent and safe work and employment.
• Reduced vulnerability of fishing communities to natural disasters and climate change.
• Diversifying livelihoods to reduce dependency.
• Increasing the voice, choice and capacity of SSF to take up alternative livelihood opportunities.
• Ensure equitable benefits to SSF from development of tourism, aquaculture and conservation efforts etc.
• Ensure that larger-scale operations do not undermine SSF and respects the human rights based approach and gender dimension.
• Enhanced capacity of SSF communities with regard to climate change adaption.
• Reducing the carbon footprint and negative environmental impacts of SSF.
• Management of SSF ensures that human well-being is balanced with ecological well-being.
• Ensuring that the benefits of the fishery trade lead to human development.
• The promotion of local and domestic trade ??? See the CCRF 11.2.15 on international fish trade
• Insuring that fisheries trade promotes human development.
Actions
• Define or characterize SSF.
• Institutional/administration reform.
• Legal reform.
• Policy development.
• Human capacity building.
• Information and communications.
• Institutional linkages and strengthened partnerships.
• Provision of social services and social protection.
• Provision of, and access to, financial services including micro-finance.
• Collaboration, institutional linkages and strengthened partnerships including regional agencies, INGO’s, NGO’s etc.
• Research and knowledge generation.
• Infrastructure and technology.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
Type of instrument
• Something that is quickly available for use.
• Global programme informed by a code or guideline that is developed by international consensus.
• This can then form the basis for the development of regional, national and local guidelines and plans of action for SSF.
From Mohommed Ali Sha of PFF, Pakistan, Saranapala De Silva of United Fishers & Fish Workers Congress[UFFC], Suraji Sudiratmija of Serikat Nelayan of Indonesia, Gerard Corpuz of PAMALAKAYA, Philippines, Geetha Lakmini of NAFSO, Sri Lanka, WICHOKSAK RONNARONGPAIREE, The Federation of Southern Fisher Folk, Thailand had attended from WFFP. Some of our members attended with the support of WFF as they wanted WFFP to fill up their slots too.
The Bangkok Regional workshop report of Small Scale Fishers organized by Food & Agriculture Organization[FAO] has been circulated.
I would like to add this for your information as this will help you to understand what has happened at Bangkok during 6-8 October.
Herman Kumara
Rights – of fishers, fishing communities and small-scale fishers
• Right to life and livelihood.
• Right to access resources.
• Rights to manage coastal and inland fisheries resources.
• Right to food.
• Right to decent work
• Right to safety at sea and in the work place.
• Right to be protected by Law.
• Right to participate in local governance.
• Right to information.
• Right to politics.
• Right of users to be involved in management.
• Right to participate in local governance.
• Right to advocacy.
• Right to basic amenities.
• Rights to make rules/regulations on fishing/fishery management.
• Right to participate in decision making.
• Right to social protection, security and access to social services.
• Right of women to participate in decision making.
• Recognition of community and customary rights.
• (Guarantee of social protection, decent working and living conditions and social security for SSF).
• Guaranteed release and repatriation of all fishers detained for trans-boundary trespass and/or drifting.
• Right to rehabilitation after natural disasters.
• Right of representation of fisheries associations in stakeholder/sectoral dialogue and decision making.
• Right to access/area/tenure rights.
• Coastal protection (either infrastructure or natural barriers).
• Rights to tenure or use of coastal land (also to promote habitat conservation).
• Access to fisheries, fishing areas (linked to zoning, and can also include territorial use rights TURF).
• Responsible and sustainable SSF as a right for future generations.
• The rights of men, women and children in SSF to an equitable, safer and sustainable livelihood are ensured.
Principles
• Appropriate consultation mechanisms.
• Prior and informed consent.
• Transparency and accountability.
• Principle of Subsidiarity.
• Formal integration of SSF into coastal, riverine and rural development policies.
• Respect for traditional/indigenous knowledge and local wisdom.
• SSF have specific needs reflecting the dependency, complexity and vulnerability of their livelihoods.
• Policies and interventions associated with disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change (CC) should take into account and respond to the specific needs of the SSF sector.
• Consensus should be built on approaches, systems and strategies to address the needs of SSF in relation to disaster preparedness (including prevention and mitigation), response and rehabilitation.
• Engagement and consultation with NGO’s and CBO in support of SSF.
• These approaches, systems and strategies should reflect the needs and requirements of different stakeholders in small scale fisheries, including men, women and children involved in capture, post harvest and ancillary work.
• Principle of gender equality.
• Recognition of the importance of ensuring the involvement of participants in SSF in decision making processes regarding DRM and CC approaches, systems and strategies.
• Fisheries policies and strategies should include DRM and CC considerations and fully reflect the specific needs of small-scale fisheries.
• NGO’s concerned with SSF should be afforded the opportunity to fully participate in planning and implementation of relevant legislation, policies and programmes.
• Policies and interventions associated with DRM and CC take into account and respond to the specific needs of the SSF sector
Goals
• Goals in SSF should be informed by the MDGs.
• Security from external threats (pollution, industrial fishing, displacement).
• Reduce conflict with other resource users.
• Enable secured access to markets for SSF products.
• Products of SSF meet food hygiene requirement.
• Elimination of child labour.
• Promotion of decent and safe work and employment.
• Reduced vulnerability of fishing communities to natural disasters and climate change.
• Diversifying livelihoods to reduce dependency.
• Increasing the voice, choice and capacity of SSF to take up alternative livelihood opportunities.
• Ensure equitable benefits to SSF from development of tourism, aquaculture and conservation efforts etc.
• Ensure that larger-scale operations do not undermine SSF and respects the human rights based approach and gender dimension.
• Enhanced capacity of SSF communities with regard to climate change adaption.
• Reducing the carbon footprint and negative environmental impacts of SSF.
• Management of SSF ensures that human well-being is balanced with ecological well-being.
• Ensuring that the benefits of the fishery trade lead to human development.
• The promotion of local and domestic trade ??? See the CCRF 11.2.15 on international fish trade
• Insuring that fisheries trade promotes human development.
Actions
• Define or characterize SSF.
• Institutional/administration reform.
• Legal reform.
• Policy development.
• Human capacity building.
• Information and communications.
• Institutional linkages and strengthened partnerships.
• Provision of social services and social protection.
• Provision of, and access to, financial services including micro-finance.
• Collaboration, institutional linkages and strengthened partnerships including regional agencies, INGO’s, NGO’s etc.
• Research and knowledge generation.
• Infrastructure and technology.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
Type of instrument
• Something that is quickly available for use.
• Global programme informed by a code or guideline that is developed by international consensus.
• This can then form the basis for the development of regional, national and local guidelines and plans of action for SSF.
Securing Small Scale Fisheries: Bringing Together Responsible Fisheries & Social Development.
12TH 14TH OCTOBER 2010 MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE.
At the COFI meeting in 2009, it was decided that there should be an international instrument for securing rights of the Small Scale Fisher People. This was a follow up work of the whole process initiated at Bangkok in 2008 at the 4SSF conference.
The respective officials decided at the COFI meeting to draft an instrument for securing small scale fishers while organizing 3 regional workshops in Asia[Bangkok, Thailand], Africa[Maputu, Mosambique]and Latin America [Caribbean islands] prior to COFI meeting in Janusry, 2011.
Andrew Johnston of Artisanal Fishers Assosciation at South Africa is one of a participant to African work shop at Maputu, Mosambique representing WFFP.
Following is his observations and would reflect his views of the same WS.
Herman Kumara
Sixty participants from the Africa continent which included government fisheries ministry, civil society and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations participated in this regional workshop in Maputo. The expected outcome was that there had to be guidance on a possible international instrument to plan, implement and report on securing sustainability and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in Small-Scale Fisheries within the Africa context. Secondly high priority actions and potential gaps in the implementation of good governance practices in SSF and related assistance needs. The decisions decided at this workshop would be presented to the 29th session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in January 2011 Rome. Presentations were given on Governance, reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, gender, Human Rights based development framework and existing international instruments related to SSF in Africa. Given the dilemma of the majority of civil society invitees being stuck at O.R.Tambo International Airport due to Visa snags and a few only filtering into the workshop late on the second day the conclusion was very positive and enlightening. With government officials, civil society and policy-makers seating in close proximity in a small conference room, my expectation was one of “they disregard the lives of the downtrodden that they little understand” and nothing will be achieved but I was pleasantly surprisingly proved wrong in my assumptions. The workshop synthesis report from the working group’s discussion was the feeling that here from Africa were some genuine people who wanted to build equitable societies, achieve justice for all and not crucify our hope of a fairer Africa.
We therefore could walk away from this workshop extremely delighted on the outcome that the basis was comparable to the Bangkok resolutions and as a South African it was marvelous that our new small-scale policy actually was completely in line with the proposals. {See attachment of proceedings] The issue of co-management, ecosystem approach, communal rights, and fisher’s right to development, rights based approach and the rejection of privatization all being music to our ears. The sticky issues was the problem of migrant fishers which was not resolved mainly it was contrary to some countries national policy also because of only having a few civil society members present we did not give a full presentation from our group. This presentation will have to be forwarded by WFFF and WFFP to the secretariat along with additional proposals on human rights of small-scale fishing of which there was considerable debate. The feeling amongst us was that the issue of human rights was to an important issue to finalize although those already decided was acceptable, {still awaiting this from FAO] there was extra rights that should be work shopped amongst our members as the thinking on human rights differ in various cultures around the world. Whether the final findings from the regional workshops should be incorporated into the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries or be similar to guidelines as in the Right to Adequate Food was discussed at length and the general consensus it should be guidelines. All in All given the very bad organizational arrangements by the organizers of civil society it was a wonderful experience and a huge success as networking exercise and a boost towards our struggle for rights.
Thanking You,
Andrew Johnston,
World Forum of Fisher Peoples'[WFFP]
At the COFI meeting in 2009, it was decided that there should be an international instrument for securing rights of the Small Scale Fisher People. This was a follow up work of the whole process initiated at Bangkok in 2008 at the 4SSF conference.
The respective officials decided at the COFI meeting to draft an instrument for securing small scale fishers while organizing 3 regional workshops in Asia[Bangkok, Thailand], Africa[Maputu, Mosambique]and Latin America [Caribbean islands] prior to COFI meeting in Janusry, 2011.
Andrew Johnston of Artisanal Fishers Assosciation at South Africa is one of a participant to African work shop at Maputu, Mosambique representing WFFP.
Following is his observations and would reflect his views of the same WS.
Herman Kumara
Sixty participants from the Africa continent which included government fisheries ministry, civil society and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations participated in this regional workshop in Maputo. The expected outcome was that there had to be guidance on a possible international instrument to plan, implement and report on securing sustainability and Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in Small-Scale Fisheries within the Africa context. Secondly high priority actions and potential gaps in the implementation of good governance practices in SSF and related assistance needs. The decisions decided at this workshop would be presented to the 29th session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in January 2011 Rome. Presentations were given on Governance, reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, gender, Human Rights based development framework and existing international instruments related to SSF in Africa. Given the dilemma of the majority of civil society invitees being stuck at O.R.Tambo International Airport due to Visa snags and a few only filtering into the workshop late on the second day the conclusion was very positive and enlightening. With government officials, civil society and policy-makers seating in close proximity in a small conference room, my expectation was one of “they disregard the lives of the downtrodden that they little understand” and nothing will be achieved but I was pleasantly surprisingly proved wrong in my assumptions. The workshop synthesis report from the working group’s discussion was the feeling that here from Africa were some genuine people who wanted to build equitable societies, achieve justice for all and not crucify our hope of a fairer Africa.
We therefore could walk away from this workshop extremely delighted on the outcome that the basis was comparable to the Bangkok resolutions and as a South African it was marvelous that our new small-scale policy actually was completely in line with the proposals. {See attachment of proceedings] The issue of co-management, ecosystem approach, communal rights, and fisher’s right to development, rights based approach and the rejection of privatization all being music to our ears. The sticky issues was the problem of migrant fishers which was not resolved mainly it was contrary to some countries national policy also because of only having a few civil society members present we did not give a full presentation from our group. This presentation will have to be forwarded by WFFF and WFFP to the secretariat along with additional proposals on human rights of small-scale fishing of which there was considerable debate. The feeling amongst us was that the issue of human rights was to an important issue to finalize although those already decided was acceptable, {still awaiting this from FAO] there was extra rights that should be work shopped amongst our members as the thinking on human rights differ in various cultures around the world. Whether the final findings from the regional workshops should be incorporated into the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries or be similar to guidelines as in the Right to Adequate Food was discussed at length and the general consensus it should be guidelines. All in All given the very bad organizational arrangements by the organizers of civil society it was a wonderful experience and a huge success as networking exercise and a boost towards our struggle for rights.
Thanking You,
Andrew Johnston,
World Forum of Fisher Peoples'[WFFP]
Monday, August 30, 2010
Agreement Between Indian & SL Fishermen on Fishing at Palk Bay
Text of Agreement between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen representatives who met at St.Thomas Mount, Chennai, India, from 20th to 22nd August 2010.
English Translation (Original in Tamil)
The following proposals are made by the Sri Lankan team after the discussions it had with Indian fishermen (since its arrival in India) from 16th to 22nd August on the issues of fishing on the Indo-Sri Lankan border and after taking into consideration the various proposals made by Tamil Nadu (fishermen).
1. On basis of the firm assurance that Indian fishermen will stop mechanised trawl fishing in Sri Lankan waters within a period of one year, the following proposals have been made.
2. Boundaries have been fixed for (trawl) fishing beyond the Sri Lankan-Indian border in Sri Lankan waters in a manner that the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen will not be affected.
This will be as follows;
A. In the Palk Bay, north of the Mannar Island, fishing can be done beyond a distance of 3 nautical miles from the Sri Lankan shore.(Fishing should be done seawards of Palathivu and Iranithivu).
3. Fishing will be done (in the Palk Bay) on the following days in different months,
Month Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
January 4 4
February 4 4
March 4 4
April 2 2
May
June 4 4
July 4 4
August 4 4
September
October 4 4
November 3 3
December 2 2
Total number of days allowed for fishing: 70 days
Timings: Afternoon 4 pm to morning 4 am
Days of fishing: Wednesday and Saturday
B. In the Palk Straits of the northern Jaffna coast, fishing can be done up to 5 nautical miles south of the Sri Lanka-India maritime border. (This will be applicable for the area starting from the west of Delft Island till East Wadamarachi border)
C. In the Gulf of Mannar, south of the Mannar Island, fishing can be done till a distance of 5 nautical miles from the Sri Lanka-India border
4. Use of pair trawls is to be completely avoided. Care has to be taken not to affect small scale fishing operations. Number of boats (coming from India) need to be fixed.
5. These proposals will be placed before the two Governments for their consideration. Government decision will be final.
6. All the conditions for fishing (by Indian trawlers) should be monitored with the help of the two Governments.
7. The monitoring group should be composed of representatives from the fisheries officials, fishermen and the Navy/Coast Guard from both countries.
8. For taking action on violations to the conditions imposed (on fishing by Indian trawlers), committees shall be formed on both sides to take suitable corrective action. In the case of disputes in the implementation of this agreement between the two sides, ARIF in India and NAFSO in Sri Lanka will be responsible to mediate and sort out the issues.
9. All difficulties arising in implementing these proposals and new issues will be discussed in the next round of talks between the two sides in Sri Lanka.
10. With regards to fishing by country boats, the use of mono-filament nets needs to be avoided and this will be discussed in the next round of talks.
11. These proposals will apply to all Tamil Nadu mechanised boat fishermen (who operate in the areas mentioned in this agreement).
The above proposals have been accepted by fishermen representatives of both countries and their signature affixed hereunder.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Praja Abhilasha People's Tribunals are in Progress
The 7th People's Tribunal held at Trincomalee yesterday at Trincomalee with wider people's participation. There were number of issues emerged related to Tsunami, War, Land Tenure and Human Elephant Co-existence in relation to Praja Abhilasha Land coalition.
Now, the PPT work is coming towards the end and the land movement building activities are the most pressing need to address those issues emerged.
As Raajan Francis, the coordinator of PA says, "We will go forward with more organized manner in 6 major issues emerged at the PPT. We are already on move with the H/E coexistence issues in Kurunegala and Moneragala districts".
"War and Tsunami affected people are one of the most affected ones and we need to address their issues. However, the present undemocratic system made the affected people in a numbing and vulnerable. Need strong people's engagement to break this apathy" Says Dr.Ravi Varma, one of a Judges in the PPT.
As, NAFSO team we are engage in many ways to make this effort a success as the facilitating and coordination centre of Land Coalition of Praja Abilasha.
Herman Kumara
Now, the PPT work is coming towards the end and the land movement building activities are the most pressing need to address those issues emerged.
As Raajan Francis, the coordinator of PA says, "We will go forward with more organized manner in 6 major issues emerged at the PPT. We are already on move with the H/E coexistence issues in Kurunegala and Moneragala districts".
"War and Tsunami affected people are one of the most affected ones and we need to address their issues. However, the present undemocratic system made the affected people in a numbing and vulnerable. Need strong people's engagement to break this apathy" Says Dr.Ravi Varma, one of a Judges in the PPT.
As, NAFSO team we are engage in many ways to make this effort a success as the facilitating and coordination centre of Land Coalition of Praja Abilasha.
Herman Kumara
Friday, June 25, 2010
Research Report for the Sustainability & Management of Inland Water Bodies in Sri Lanka
The report prepared for the purpose of the management and sustainability of the inland fishers with the research conducted at 14 sites in 7 districts among the coastal and inland fishing communities was launched at the SLAAS auditorium on 22nd June in connection with the Small Scale Fisheries Convention organized by National Fisheries Solidarity Movement[NAFSO].
Mr.Nalaka Rozairo, the coordinator of Policy Studies of NAFSO presented to research findings at the convention which are alarming for actions and need highest and immediate attention of policy makers as he shared.
The most importantly,
> analysis of the technology,
> management practices,
> institutional structures,
> leadership of the communities,
> environmental aspects,
were covered at the research which are very important on policy making process of the authorities on management practices in inland water bodies.
This report would be circulated among fishing communities, fisheries officials, National Aquaculture Development Authority[NAQDA] and officials at MOF in the Central Government as well as Provincial COuncils in the country for their attention, study and action.
Herman Kumara
26.06.10
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
"Let's Build Up an International Instrument to Sustain Small Scale Fishers and the Industry"
“We are small Scale fishers’ representatives. We feed the nations with much stress and difficulties among us. But, we can solve the issues of the food security, energy crisis as well as the global warming in the globe today. So, we are not the part of the problem of major crisis in the globe today. As you all see, we are part of the solution". While welcoming the gathering at the small scale Fishers National Convention, Ms. Geetha Lakmini, the Secretary of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement shared her views.
There were around 200 small scale fishers, scholars, researchers, university teachers attended the small scale fishers convention representing from 14 districts in the island. Most of them were hopeful to share their views with the minister of fisheries and were frustrated with the absence of him and his officials. So, the people were shared their frustration and the anger against them.
Mr.Ansel Fernando, a small scale fisherman of Wathuregama, Balapitiya, very strongly condemned the absence of the minister.
“The ministers and the politicians do not have any solutions for our issues. That is why they do not come to meet us. Why we invited them? We wanted to tell what we expect to build up this industry. What they can do the help the sustenance of the small scale fishers. They are not concern about us. But, this is the way they want to make the Sri Lanka a wonders in the Asia.”
Ansel shared his anger with firing speech which was received highest attention and appreciation from the audience.
However, what Sarath Fernando said is some thing opposite to the above sharings.
“We need not to bother about the absence of the Minister or the Politicians in our gathering and need not to echo our grievances. We should learn how to work while neglecting them. Although, we think the elected ministers and the regime is there for the people, it is not so. So we need to plan out our proposals and do what ever possible for our own destiny.” Sarath Fernando, a veteran social activist, coordinator of MONLAR narrated at the open discussion held at the National Convention on Small Scale Fisheries, under the theme of
“Let us build up an International Instrument for sustainability of Small Scale Fishing industry and the fishing communities.” Which was held at SLAAS at Colombo.
The Committee on Fisheries [COFI] of Food & Agriculture Organization the Rome based agency of the United Nation, has decided to formulate an international instrument for the small scale fisheries and will be organized 3 regional conferences aiming at to discuss the out comes at the COFI 2011. The World Forum of Fisher Peoples’ [WFFP] has seen the importance of having national consultations prior to the regional conferences in order to discuss the national issues in depth at the respective countries.
So, National Fisheries Solidarity Movement , a WFFP member organization in Sri Lanka, had organized series of consultations at the community level to district levels prior to the such national consultation.
“ We planned to get wider participation of small scale fishers through the series of workshops from village level up to national level in this process. As a result we were able to organized 3 major workshops among the fisher women, inland fisher people as well as with small scale coastal fishers and the fish workers in the multiday fishing boats. With this work we were tried to open the debate on sustenance of small scale fishers as they are supposed to be extinct in the near future. Do we allow this to happen or do we commit to change this situation? It is in our hand as small scale fishers. ”
Herman Kumara, the national convener of National Fisheries Solidarity Movement challenged the gathering at the presentation of the objectives session.
“We do not allow to loose our fishing grounds with selling the coasts to tourism or aquaculture investors. We want to emphasize our customary rights. If any one want to protect small scale fishers, they should protect the fishing environment, sustenance of fish stocks, post harvest products of our fisher communities. We expected to submit our issues as well as the possible solutions to the authorities. They are not present here today. Then who are the responsible people to tell our issues.?” says Loyel Peiris, a small scale catamaran fisherman, and a fisher leader from Barudalpola, Thoduwawa in the North Western Coast of the island.
The organizers were attempted their best to get the fisheries authorities to the occasion and some of them promised to do so. However, with their reasons none of them participated and not informed too.
So the fisher groups were not discouraged and decided to go to the fisheries ministry and meet the fisheries minister and the officials. All the people in the gathering agreed to go to the fisheries ministry and submit the proposals they prepared.
At the sharing of inland fisheries, issues of fisher women and the issues of northern and eastern provinces, all the people expected strong intervention by the government while getting the support of the fisher communities.
A.J.Anderson, small scale fisherman of Parakrama Samudraya at Polonnaruwa, shared the necessity to reorganize the fisheries cooperatives as one of the main tool to fisheries management purposes as well as sustenance the livelihoods for inland fishing communities.
“Small Scale Fishers need freedom from the Investors. Most of them are under the custody of the Mudalalis and the fishermen do not get any reasonable share from them. Most of the time the families are suffering as they can not survive with the small amount of earning of the bread winner.” That was the voice of A.I.M. Zackiras of District Fisheries Organization at Pothuwil, Ampara district.
“Indian fishing fleets are destroying our waters seriously. They are dangerous too. Three days of the week we do not go to the sea due to fear. Mannar and Jaffna district fishers who were affected very badly by 30 years long war are affected again with this situation. They engage in bottom trawling which is very harmful to the fishing industry. This situation should change to sustain the fisheries in the country. At the same time, most of the fishers were displaced due to war. Some are still in the camps. Others did not receive proper treatments for so called resettlement process.” Vincent Lambert, a fisherman of Arripputhurai fishing village at Mannar, a war tone area in the north shared his views at the national convention and proposed possible direction to build up the small scale fishers in the north and the east.
As decided by the group at the gathering with consensus, every one participated at the convention went to the Ministry of Fisheries and decided who will be the persons participate the meeting with the minister and his officials. There were 15 people volunteered to meet the Minister though the group got only the promise to have another appointment with the minister due to the unavailability of the minister and the officials at the time the group reached the ministry.
Monday, June 21, 2010
“Let’s build up international instrument to secure the sustainability of fisheries industry and small scale fishers”
Join with us for securing the sustainability of small scale fishers & the fisheries industry
(The national conference is to be scheduled to hold with the above objective nationality, regionally & world wide)
2010.06.22 - National Conference
“Vidyabhiwardana Conference Hall
No. 120/16 , Wijerama Road
Colombo 07”
10.30 AM - 2.30 PM
We cordially invite you to attend this conference representing from, ministry of fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Word Food and agricultural (FAO). Non governmental organization as well as fisher communities
Adjenda
2010.06.22
Suggested facts from conducted women’s conference.
Presenting the suggested annual report to securing small scale fishermen’s industry.
Presenting island fisheries research report.
Presenting specific suggestions on island fishery.
Suggested process to secure the sustainability of fisheries industry small scale fishermen, Presenting the Contribution, Government, NGO, and FAO.
Join with us for securing the sustainability of small scale fishers & the fisheries industry
(The national conference is to be scheduled to hold with the above objective nationality, regionally & world wide)
2010.06.22 - National Conference
“Vidyabhiwardana Conference Hall
No. 120/16 , Wijerama Road
Colombo 07”
10.30 AM - 2.30 PM
We cordially invite you to attend this conference representing from, ministry of fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Word Food and agricultural (FAO). Non governmental organization as well as fisher communities
Adjenda
2010.06.22
Suggested facts from conducted women’s conference.
Presenting the suggested annual report to securing small scale fishermen’s industry.
Presenting island fisheries research report.
Presenting specific suggestions on island fishery.
Suggested process to secure the sustainability of fisheries industry small scale fishermen, Presenting the Contribution, Government, NGO, and FAO.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
"WIll Fishing sustain the life and livelihoods of Small Scale Fishers any more.?" Ask Riza Diminik, People Coalition for Equal Fisheries
http://www.vhrmedia.com/116-Fishermen-Move-to-New-Profession-Every-Day-news3713.html
116 Fishermen Move to New Profession Every Day
(id)6 April 2010 - 17:41 WIB
Nina Suartika - translated by Rosmi Julitasari
VHRmedia, Jakarta – Climate change and damaged coast have pushed fishermen to move to new profession. 116 fishermen have parked their boat for good, due to lack of financial support and environmental damage.
31,000 fishermen lost their source of income every day. “About 1.2 million fishermen could not sail to the sea in 2003 to 2008,” said the General Secretary of The People Coalition for Equal Fisheries (Kiara) Riza Damanik, at their rally in celebrating the International Fishermen Day, Tuesday (4/6).
According to Riza, the condition is worsened by the regulation, which does not strictly protect the fishermen. “We cannot deny it, that it is also caused the regulation, which does not put position on the fishermen’s life.”
By the law on managing coasts and small islands, the government gives limitation of the move of fishermen in purpose. This regulation gives flexibilities for privatecompanies to own the area of public fishing. (E1)
116 Fishermen Move to New Profession Every Day
(id)6 April 2010 - 17:41 WIB
Nina Suartika - translated by Rosmi Julitasari
VHRmedia, Jakarta – Climate change and damaged coast have pushed fishermen to move to new profession. 116 fishermen have parked their boat for good, due to lack of financial support and environmental damage.
31,000 fishermen lost their source of income every day. “About 1.2 million fishermen could not sail to the sea in 2003 to 2008,” said the General Secretary of The People Coalition for Equal Fisheries (Kiara) Riza Damanik, at their rally in celebrating the International Fishermen Day, Tuesday (4/6).
According to Riza, the condition is worsened by the regulation, which does not strictly protect the fishermen. “We cannot deny it, that it is also caused the regulation, which does not put position on the fishermen’s life.”
By the law on managing coasts and small islands, the government gives limitation of the move of fishermen in purpose. This regulation gives flexibilities for privatecompanies to own the area of public fishing. (E1)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Bomb attack sinks boat, 4 fishermen escape in Katchchatheevu
The information we are receiving from India is not so much good on fisheries. Chandrika Sharma, Executive Secretary of ICSF forwarded the message below is very much disturbed our minds and the work.
As we want to have a serious work between two countries on cross boarder issues, we will have to face serious repurcussions with these type of incidents. WFFP, NFF,ARIF, NAFSO, ICSF and many other concern organizations, trade unions need to take serious attention on this.
NAFSO will take serious attention with ARIF for implement the plans we prepared to intervene the issue.
Here is the report on this incident as appeared in the Hindu News Paper.
Herman Kumara,
07.04.10
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/07/stories/2010040763210400.htm
C. Jaishankar
RAMANATHAPURAM: Four fishermen had a narrow escape when a mechanised boat in Rameswaram was sunk, allegedly by a group of Sri Lankan fishermen.
According to a complaint lodged by the fishermen, who managed to escape, the attack was carried out near Kachchatheevu on Monday. The boat [TN-10 MFB 263] owned by Stalin of Rameswaram sank within moments of a bomb blast triggered by the fishermen reportedly belonging to Delft Island near Kachchatheevu. The fishermen were identified as Stephen (43), Mehallan (25), Alex (25) and Prabu (26) of Rameswaram.
T. Ilamvazhuthi, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Rameswaram, told The Hindu that a preliminary enquiry had revealed that a group of Sri Lankan fishermen, reportedly hailing from Delft Island, carried out the attack opposing the practice of pair trawl net fishing, which was banned. It was stated that fishermen from Delft Island and the nearby islands had earlier warned the Rameswaram fishermen not to follow pair trawling, which might damage the nets cast by them and affect marine wealth in the bottom of the ocean.
There was a report that the boat that was attacked was among a pair of boats, which had cast pair trawl nets.
The fishermen could escape as the attackers blasted the boat after asking them to jump and board the other boat.
The fishermen said their fishing gear and the day's catch were also sunk. Mr. Ilamvazhuthi said the incident was the first of its kind after a gap of nearly three years.
Search order demanded
The fishermen had demanded a search order to locate the boat.
However, a decision would be taken only after collecting all information related to the incident.
Tough action would be taken against those following pair trawl practice, he warned.
As we want to have a serious work between two countries on cross boarder issues, we will have to face serious repurcussions with these type of incidents. WFFP, NFF,ARIF, NAFSO, ICSF and many other concern organizations, trade unions need to take serious attention on this.
NAFSO will take serious attention with ARIF for implement the plans we prepared to intervene the issue.
Here is the report on this incident as appeared in the Hindu News Paper.
Herman Kumara,
07.04.10
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/07/stories/2010040763210400.htm
C. Jaishankar
RAMANATHAPURAM: Four fishermen had a narrow escape when a mechanised boat in Rameswaram was sunk, allegedly by a group of Sri Lankan fishermen.
According to a complaint lodged by the fishermen, who managed to escape, the attack was carried out near Kachchatheevu on Monday. The boat [TN-10 MFB 263] owned by Stalin of Rameswaram sank within moments of a bomb blast triggered by the fishermen reportedly belonging to Delft Island near Kachchatheevu. The fishermen were identified as Stephen (43), Mehallan (25), Alex (25) and Prabu (26) of Rameswaram.
T. Ilamvazhuthi, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Rameswaram, told The Hindu that a preliminary enquiry had revealed that a group of Sri Lankan fishermen, reportedly hailing from Delft Island, carried out the attack opposing the practice of pair trawl net fishing, which was banned. It was stated that fishermen from Delft Island and the nearby islands had earlier warned the Rameswaram fishermen not to follow pair trawling, which might damage the nets cast by them and affect marine wealth in the bottom of the ocean.
There was a report that the boat that was attacked was among a pair of boats, which had cast pair trawl nets.
The fishermen could escape as the attackers blasted the boat after asking them to jump and board the other boat.
The fishermen said their fishing gear and the day's catch were also sunk. Mr. Ilamvazhuthi said the incident was the first of its kind after a gap of nearly three years.
Search order demanded
The fishermen had demanded a search order to locate the boat.
However, a decision would be taken only after collecting all information related to the incident.
Tough action would be taken against those following pair trawl practice, he warned.
"Law enforcement is one way of solution to Indo-SL fisheries issues on Bottom Trawling" Says Thomas Kocherry, Special Invitee, WFFP
The Indian-Sri Lankan fsheries issues are emerging as a one of the most serious issues within the fisheries sector. On one hand it is about reclaiming Katchchthivu island back to India. On the other hand the Indian bottom trawlers are invading the Sri Lankan waters which Sri Lankan fishers in the north of the country are opposing vehemently.
With the latest press release issued by Thomas Kocherry of WFFP has exposed another angle of the reservation on the botom trawling by Tamil Nadu fishers. There is big tension between the Tamil Nadu small scale fishers and Bottom trawl operting communities.
So, the work of ARIF, NFF, NAFSO and many other organizations involved should have take serious attention to solve this problem amicably and according to Tomas Kocherry, it is about Law and Order and Law enforcement issue of Indian, government, Specifically the Tamil Nadu government.
Here is the Press release of Thomas Kocherry, Special Invitee to the WFFP Coordination Committee.
Herman Kumara.
07.04.10
Press Note
There was a fierce fight between Sri Lankan Fishermen and Tamilnadu Mechanised boats who are doing bull trawling in Rameswaram and Kachiadeepu area.. Bull trawling is banned. And hence Ramnadu Traditional Fish Workers Union is also opposing bull trawling. This clash has ended in the death of one of the fishermen. Boats were destroyed. The Government is not maintaining the law and order and not implementing the Tamilnadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act. As a result this continuous law and order problem occurs.
Ramnadu Traditional Fishworkers’ Union President Paulsamy says that the union is going to start to start agitation stop Bull Trawling Completely. This is important to maintain peace between India and Sri Lanka. Thomas Kocherry in a special Press note says that Government of Tamilnadu is responsible for the Law and Problem arisen in Rameswaram area. Let them stop it by implementing Marine Fishing Regulation Act.
Thomas Kocherry
Special Invitee to WFFP
Manavalakurichy
Tamilnadu-629252
India
7-4-2010
With the latest press release issued by Thomas Kocherry of WFFP has exposed another angle of the reservation on the botom trawling by Tamil Nadu fishers. There is big tension between the Tamil Nadu small scale fishers and Bottom trawl operting communities.
So, the work of ARIF, NFF, NAFSO and many other organizations involved should have take serious attention to solve this problem amicably and according to Tomas Kocherry, it is about Law and Order and Law enforcement issue of Indian, government, Specifically the Tamil Nadu government.
Here is the Press release of Thomas Kocherry, Special Invitee to the WFFP Coordination Committee.
Herman Kumara.
07.04.10
Press Note
There was a fierce fight between Sri Lankan Fishermen and Tamilnadu Mechanised boats who are doing bull trawling in Rameswaram and Kachiadeepu area.. Bull trawling is banned. And hence Ramnadu Traditional Fish Workers Union is also opposing bull trawling. This clash has ended in the death of one of the fishermen. Boats were destroyed. The Government is not maintaining the law and order and not implementing the Tamilnadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act. As a result this continuous law and order problem occurs.
Ramnadu Traditional Fishworkers’ Union President Paulsamy says that the union is going to start to start agitation stop Bull Trawling Completely. This is important to maintain peace between India and Sri Lanka. Thomas Kocherry in a special Press note says that Government of Tamilnadu is responsible for the Law and Problem arisen in Rameswaram area. Let them stop it by implementing Marine Fishing Regulation Act.
Thomas Kocherry
Special Invitee to WFFP
Manavalakurichy
Tamilnadu-629252
India
7-4-2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
UN's Ban Ki Moon calls Aral Sea 'shocking disaster'
This is a shocking news I received this morning.
We need to dialogue on this at WFFP which will be a disaster to all over the seas in the future.
The amount of issues emerging in global level is enormous. How we could intervene as a global fisheries movement is a challenge for all of us at WFFP.
Herman
AP – U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, right, looks at the ships cemetery in Muynak near Aral Sea, Uzbekistan, …
By JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press Writer – Sun Apr 4, 6:22 pm ET
NUKUS, Uzbekistan – The drying up of the Aral Sea is one of the planet's most shocking environmental disasters, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday as he urged Central Asian leaders to step up efforts to solve the problem.
Once the world's fourth-largest lake, the sea has shrunk by 90 percent since the rivers that feed it were largely diverted in a Soviet project to boost cotton production in the arid region.
The shrunken sea has ruined the once-robust fishing economy and left fishing trawlers stranded in sandy wastelands, leaning over as if they dropped from the air. The sea's evaporation has left layers of highly salted sand, which winds can carry as far away as Scandinavia and Japan, and which plague local people with health troubles.
Ban toured the sea by helicopter as part of a visit to the five countries of former Soviet Central Asia. His trip included a touchdown in Muynak, Uzbekistan, a town once on the shore where a pier stretches eerily over gray desert and camels stand near the hulks of stranded ships.
"On the pier, I wasn't seeing anything, I could see only a graveyard of ships," Ban told reporters after arriving in Nukus, the nearest sizable city and capital of the autonomous Karakalpak region.
"It is clearly one of the worst disasters, environmental disasters of the world. I was so shocked," he said.
The Aral Sea catastrophe is one of Ban's top concerns on his six-day trip through the region and he is calling on the countries' leaders to set aside rivalries to cooperate on repairing some of the damage.
"I urge all the leaders ... to sit down together and try to find the solutions," he said, promising United Nations support.
However, cooperation is hampered by disagreements over who has rights to scarce water and how it should be used.
In a presentation to Ban before his flyover, Uzbek officials complained that dam projects in Tajikistan will severely reduce the amount of water flowing into Uzbekistan. Impoverished Tajikistan sees the hydroelectric projects as potential key revenue earners.
Competition for water could become increasingly heated as global warming and rising populations further reduce the amount of water available per capita.
Water problems also could brew further dissatisfaction among civilians already troubled by poverty and repressive governments; some observers fear that could feed growing Islamist sentiment in the region.
Ban also is taking on the region's frequently poor human rights conditions.
That is likely to be an especially tense issue when he meets Monday with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, who has led the country since the 1991 Soviet collapse and imposed severe pressure on opposition and civil rights activists.
The meeting comes less than two weeks after the U.N. Human Rights Committee issued a report criticizing Uzbekistan, including calling for fuller investigation of the brutal suppression of a 2005 uprising in the city of Andijan. Opposition and rights groups claim that hundreds were killed, but authorities insist the reports are exaggerated and angrily reject any
We need to dialogue on this at WFFP which will be a disaster to all over the seas in the future.
The amount of issues emerging in global level is enormous. How we could intervene as a global fisheries movement is a challenge for all of us at WFFP.
Herman
AP – U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, right, looks at the ships cemetery in Muynak near Aral Sea, Uzbekistan, …
By JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press Writer – Sun Apr 4, 6:22 pm ET
NUKUS, Uzbekistan – The drying up of the Aral Sea is one of the planet's most shocking environmental disasters, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Sunday as he urged Central Asian leaders to step up efforts to solve the problem.
Once the world's fourth-largest lake, the sea has shrunk by 90 percent since the rivers that feed it were largely diverted in a Soviet project to boost cotton production in the arid region.
The shrunken sea has ruined the once-robust fishing economy and left fishing trawlers stranded in sandy wastelands, leaning over as if they dropped from the air. The sea's evaporation has left layers of highly salted sand, which winds can carry as far away as Scandinavia and Japan, and which plague local people with health troubles.
Ban toured the sea by helicopter as part of a visit to the five countries of former Soviet Central Asia. His trip included a touchdown in Muynak, Uzbekistan, a town once on the shore where a pier stretches eerily over gray desert and camels stand near the hulks of stranded ships.
"On the pier, I wasn't seeing anything, I could see only a graveyard of ships," Ban told reporters after arriving in Nukus, the nearest sizable city and capital of the autonomous Karakalpak region.
"It is clearly one of the worst disasters, environmental disasters of the world. I was so shocked," he said.
The Aral Sea catastrophe is one of Ban's top concerns on his six-day trip through the region and he is calling on the countries' leaders to set aside rivalries to cooperate on repairing some of the damage.
"I urge all the leaders ... to sit down together and try to find the solutions," he said, promising United Nations support.
However, cooperation is hampered by disagreements over who has rights to scarce water and how it should be used.
In a presentation to Ban before his flyover, Uzbek officials complained that dam projects in Tajikistan will severely reduce the amount of water flowing into Uzbekistan. Impoverished Tajikistan sees the hydroelectric projects as potential key revenue earners.
Competition for water could become increasingly heated as global warming and rising populations further reduce the amount of water available per capita.
Water problems also could brew further dissatisfaction among civilians already troubled by poverty and repressive governments; some observers fear that could feed growing Islamist sentiment in the region.
Ban also is taking on the region's frequently poor human rights conditions.
That is likely to be an especially tense issue when he meets Monday with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, who has led the country since the 1991 Soviet collapse and imposed severe pressure on opposition and civil rights activists.
The meeting comes less than two weeks after the U.N. Human Rights Committee issued a report criticizing Uzbekistan, including calling for fuller investigation of the brutal suppression of a 2005 uprising in the city of Andijan. Opposition and rights groups claim that hundreds were killed, but authorities insist the reports are exaggerated and angrily reject any
ICELAND FISHERS WIN TEHIR RIGHTS AGAINST ITQ SYSTEM
I am privileged to receive numereous letters related to fisheries which are very important to learn some thing. Specially, who ever fight for the rights of the fisher people in the world.
I got the following message from Helan Garland of USA who is helping WFFP at UN head quarters at New York city. This is very interesting story as the ITQ system is one of the instruments use to privatize the fish resources all over the world. It is good to see that Icelandic fishermen have won their case based on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, number [CCPR/C/91/D/1306/2004]. This would be a preceding for the small scale fishers who are loosing their fishing rights all over the world.
I am sharing this with you all for your information.
Herman
Draft: March 10, 2009
Iceland’s ITQ system has been challenged repeatedly in court. The first case concerned the manner in which Iceland initially grantedfishing licenses; the government distributed licenses to only those people who owned vessels during the short period November 1982 to October 1993. In the Valdimar case, a fisherman filed a case after he was denied a fishing license and catch quota because he did not own a boat during this period. In December 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to restrict the right to fish to the small group of people who were fishing during a restricted period of time. In response to the decision, the government of Iceland revised the fisheries management law to allow fishing licenses to be granted to all new vessels, with or without quotas, but did not change the ITQ system.
Two years later, another fisherman challenged the ITQ system in the Vatneyri case. This time the Supreme Court sided with the Ministry of Fisheries and found that ITQ system was legal and the government could make permanent allocation of quotas to a restricted group of people.
In 2001, fishermen Erlingur Sveinn Haraldsson and Orn Snaevar Sveinsson challenged the ITQ system again. The two fishermen had purchased a boat in 1998 but were unable to obtain a quota despite repeated applications for catch entitlements. They were able to lease a quota but paid such an exorbitant rental fee that they faced bankruptcy. In September 2001, the fishermen wrote to the Ministry of Fisheries and declared that they intended to fish without quotas and planned to challenge the ITQ system in court. After the fishermen broke the law, they were charged with fishing without a quota. Haraldsson and Sveinsson filed a claim challenging the constitutionality of the ITQ system but the Supreme Court of Iceland ruled that the quota system was legal.
After losing their case in Iceland, the fishermen filed a claim with the United Nations Human Rights Committee. They alleged that Iceland’s ITQ system violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights because the system forced them to pay money to a privileged group of citizens, the owners of fishing quotas, in order to pursue their occupation. In October 2007, the Committee ruled that Iceland’s ITQ system did violate international law. In its written decision, the Committee reasoned that although Iceland’s Fisheries Management Act stated that the fishing banks around Iceland were the common property of the nation, the ITQ system transformed the right to use and exploit public property into individual property. The committee found that “the property entitlement privilege accorded permanently to the original quota owners…is not based on reasonable grounds.” The Committee further argued that allocated quotas that were no longer used by their original holders should revert to the State for allocation to new quota holders in accordance with fair and equitable criteria. The UN ruled that the two fishermen should be compensated for their damages and that Iceland should take measures to give effect to the Committee’s decision. As of this date, the Government of Iceland has neither paid damages nor changed its ITQ system to comply with the UN’s decision.
I got the following message from Helan Garland of USA who is helping WFFP at UN head quarters at New York city. This is very interesting story as the ITQ system is one of the instruments use to privatize the fish resources all over the world. It is good to see that Icelandic fishermen have won their case based on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, number [CCPR/C/91/D/1306/2004]. This would be a preceding for the small scale fishers who are loosing their fishing rights all over the world.
I am sharing this with you all for your information.
Herman
Draft: March 10, 2009
Iceland’s ITQ system has been challenged repeatedly in court. The first case concerned the manner in which Iceland initially grantedfishing licenses; the government distributed licenses to only those people who owned vessels during the short period November 1982 to October 1993. In the Valdimar case, a fisherman filed a case after he was denied a fishing license and catch quota because he did not own a boat during this period. In December 1998, the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to restrict the right to fish to the small group of people who were fishing during a restricted period of time. In response to the decision, the government of Iceland revised the fisheries management law to allow fishing licenses to be granted to all new vessels, with or without quotas, but did not change the ITQ system.
Two years later, another fisherman challenged the ITQ system in the Vatneyri case. This time the Supreme Court sided with the Ministry of Fisheries and found that ITQ system was legal and the government could make permanent allocation of quotas to a restricted group of people.
In 2001, fishermen Erlingur Sveinn Haraldsson and Orn Snaevar Sveinsson challenged the ITQ system again. The two fishermen had purchased a boat in 1998 but were unable to obtain a quota despite repeated applications for catch entitlements. They were able to lease a quota but paid such an exorbitant rental fee that they faced bankruptcy. In September 2001, the fishermen wrote to the Ministry of Fisheries and declared that they intended to fish without quotas and planned to challenge the ITQ system in court. After the fishermen broke the law, they were charged with fishing without a quota. Haraldsson and Sveinsson filed a claim challenging the constitutionality of the ITQ system but the Supreme Court of Iceland ruled that the quota system was legal.
After losing their case in Iceland, the fishermen filed a claim with the United Nations Human Rights Committee. They alleged that Iceland’s ITQ system violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights because the system forced them to pay money to a privileged group of citizens, the owners of fishing quotas, in order to pursue their occupation. In October 2007, the Committee ruled that Iceland’s ITQ system did violate international law. In its written decision, the Committee reasoned that although Iceland’s Fisheries Management Act stated that the fishing banks around Iceland were the common property of the nation, the ITQ system transformed the right to use and exploit public property into individual property. The committee found that “the property entitlement privilege accorded permanently to the original quota owners…is not based on reasonable grounds.” The Committee further argued that allocated quotas that were no longer used by their original holders should revert to the State for allocation to new quota holders in accordance with fair and equitable criteria. The UN ruled that the two fishermen should be compensated for their damages and that Iceland should take measures to give effect to the Committee’s decision. As of this date, the Government of Iceland has neither paid damages nor changed its ITQ system to comply with the UN’s decision.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
WHAT A PATHETIC SITUATION OF MARGINAL FISHERS LIKE JASINTHA'S FAMILY.
I met a fish worker today at Sinhagama, Beruwala. He is Sunil and just a temporary labour of a canoe, which is one of the most primitive type fishing gear in our fishing communities. They are the most marginalized and under privileged people as they earn very small amount compare to small boats, beach seines or the multiday boats. His wife is jasintha and a very much couragous and religious woman. She happen to be the chair person of the community welfare society of Welcome Village at Beruwala.
His fishing day start at the previous day night and he goes to the shore and stay there till he go to the sea. Unfortunately, some days, he doesn't go for fishing as the canoe owner has some other engagements. Unless they go for fishing there is no any income unless he get some fish from helping to other boats to pull the boats to the shore or collect fish from the nets, clean the boat or mend the fish nets etc.
He has two children, one girl and a boy and only boy is going to school at the moment. Unless they earn anything from fishing like today, they do not have any other income and no saving at all, family suffer lot of difficulties.
The situation is so much hard to see as the same family is a victim of cyclone. There was no any way to repair the house as they do not have any saving, no cooperation from the community, no unity in the village welfare society, and no collective way of facing the difficulties of the community members.
We, as NAFSO do not have any way to help them as we also face some financial difficulties at the moment.
But, we expect to do some support the family as they are still live in faith to god and to the community as well.
His fishing day start at the previous day night and he goes to the shore and stay there till he go to the sea. Unfortunately, some days, he doesn't go for fishing as the canoe owner has some other engagements. Unless they go for fishing there is no any income unless he get some fish from helping to other boats to pull the boats to the shore or collect fish from the nets, clean the boat or mend the fish nets etc.
He has two children, one girl and a boy and only boy is going to school at the moment. Unless they earn anything from fishing like today, they do not have any other income and no saving at all, family suffer lot of difficulties.
The situation is so much hard to see as the same family is a victim of cyclone. There was no any way to repair the house as they do not have any saving, no cooperation from the community, no unity in the village welfare society, and no collective way of facing the difficulties of the community members.
We, as NAFSO do not have any way to help them as we also face some financial difficulties at the moment.
But, we expect to do some support the family as they are still live in faith to god and to the community as well.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
A foot Long March of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum for Restoration of Indus River & Natural Resources Tenure
Long march started from Kharochan, peak point of Indus Delta. Hundreds of male & female marches carrying play cards, banners and PFF flags and chanting slogans for the restoration of Indus River and rehabilitation of Indus Delta. Marchers March 12 days from 02 March 2010 to 14th March 2010, total 300 KM walked.
During the march, participants also sung the revolutionary songs, which showed jubilant mood among the participants.
When ever long marchers reached at different cities hundreds of citizens, members of civil society organizations, leaders of nationalists political parties including a big number of women also warmly welcomed to the marchers with big hands and presented flowers to march leaders
At the occasion long march was turned into a big public gatherings also. on the occasion Mr Mohammad Ali Shah, chairman PFF addressed the gathering, he said” that all the elected members of Provincial and National Assembly are responsible and accountable against their million of voters in Sindh, they are failed to save the natural resources and waters of delta. This is a great violence of human rights charter that water of Indus River is not been let to come in the stream. That had made lives impossible of the millions of families in delta. Many of the species of fishes are now strange and millions of agricultural land is now barred. He demanded that members of provincial assembly and national assembly from Thatta will organize hunger strike in Islamabad for the water of Sindh and entire nation will support them. He demanded that without decommissioning of the dams Indus River will not restore. He said that PFF struggle will continue till the government will not restore the Indus river and immediate rehabilitation of Indus Delta. The participants of march was assisted with water and biscuits by citizens and other political parties, including Awami Tahreek, PPP Shaheed Bhutto group,Sindh Qaumi and others.
By
Shafi Mandhrio
Dupty GS. PFF Pakistan
Cell: +923022210660
mandhrio@gmail.com
Long march started from Kharochan, peak point of Indus Delta. Hundreds of male & female marches carrying play cards, banners and PFF flags and chanting slogans for the restoration of Indus River and rehabilitation of Indus Delta. Marchers March 12 days from 02 March 2010 to 14th March 2010, total 300 KM walked.
During the march, participants also sung the revolutionary songs, which showed jubilant mood among the participants.
When ever long marchers reached at different cities hundreds of citizens, members of civil society organizations, leaders of nationalists political parties including a big number of women also warmly welcomed to the marchers with big hands and presented flowers to march leaders
At the occasion long march was turned into a big public gatherings also. on the occasion Mr Mohammad Ali Shah, chairman PFF addressed the gathering, he said” that all the elected members of Provincial and National Assembly are responsible and accountable against their million of voters in Sindh, they are failed to save the natural resources and waters of delta. This is a great violence of human rights charter that water of Indus River is not been let to come in the stream. That had made lives impossible of the millions of families in delta. Many of the species of fishes are now strange and millions of agricultural land is now barred. He demanded that members of provincial assembly and national assembly from Thatta will organize hunger strike in Islamabad for the water of Sindh and entire nation will support them. He demanded that without decommissioning of the dams Indus River will not restore. He said that PFF struggle will continue till the government will not restore the Indus river and immediate rehabilitation of Indus Delta. The participants of march was assisted with water and biscuits by citizens and other political parties, including Awami Tahreek, PPP Shaheed Bhutto group,Sindh Qaumi and others.
By
Shafi Mandhrio
Dupty GS. PFF Pakistan
Cell: +923022210660
mandhrio@gmail.com
Shrimp Farms at Honduras: Gold Mines for Investors, but for poor in Fonseka Gulf?
CONSUMERISM IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES CAUSES DESTRUCTION OF WETLANDS IN THE TROPICS
EXAMPLE:
EXPANSION OF SHRIMP FARMS WITHIN A PROTECTED AREA
RAMSAR SITE # 1000
By: Jorge Varela Marquez
March, 2010
Wetlands are ecosystems with high biodiversity that are perennially or seasonally flooded by fresh, brackish, or seawater with a maximum depth of 6 meters. In some cases they are swamps marshes, bogs, lakes or lagoons, usually accompanied by grasses, marine algae, mangroves or other vegetation. In other cases, they are temporarily dry but become productive and full of life during the rainy season.
Fig. # 1: BIODIVERSITY, TRADITIONAL FISHING AND WETLANDS TRAFFIC WETLANDS:
Mangrove Forest
Mangrove ecosystems including flats, lagoons, swamps, pasture and so on are seen as useless land by hotel operators, shrimp, and other "developers,” thus justifying the destruction of wetlands and replace them with hotels, housing colonies, shrimp farms and other activities they consider most productive, regardless of environmental damage, and the social and economic cost to local communities and humanity.
DESTRUCTION OF WETLANDS IN HONDURAS
Fig. # 3: WINTER WETLANDS (Laguna)
Fig. # 4: SUMMER WETLANDS (Playon)
Fig. # 5: WETLAND CONVERTED INTO A SHRIMP FARM
On 2 February 1971, several countries gathered in the city of Ramsar in Iran to draft the Ramsar Convention, which entered into force in 1975. It currently considers the environmental, social and economic value of wetlands. It is concerned with the conservation of waterfowl, fish, crustaceans, reptiles, mammals, and all the indigenous biodiversity of the ecosystems mentioned above. In addition, it considers their importance for carbon sequestration (the mitigation of climate change), control of pollutants, regulation of groundwater salinity, water storage, restoration of fisheries, food independence, contribution to marine primary productivity, economic and social contributions, decreased erosion, and protection from winds and storms, among other benefits.
Since 23 October 1993, Honduras is one of the contracting parties of the international Ramsar Convention, consisting of more than 158 countries that meet every three years to present their "country report." Honduras boasts of having declared and protected five "Ramsar Sites" that together comprise 223,320 hectares of wetlands supposedly under state protection. In this opportunity and as an example of false "protection" we can refer to what is happening in one part of the "Ramsar Site # 1000" in the Gulf of Fonseca.
IMAGE # 1: WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS, “LA BERBERÍA”, 1987 LANDSAT SATELLITE IMAGE.
In l987, we see the tropical coastal wetland ecosystem of “La Berbería” (Barbary) irrigated by streams, along which are mangroves, and scattered grasses, poaceae, legumes and other vegetation on saline level ground, called flats. This group harbors large resident and migratory biodiversity. It is of interest to fishing communities and allows them access to firewood, hunting, fishing and recreation in mangroves, lagoons, and estuaries in the gulf.
The expansion of shrimp aquaculture in Honduras began in 1972. By 2010, it remains without any plan for its development and expansion. The only mechanisms controlling its growth are shrimp diseases, the fall of international shrimp prices, falling demand, and sometimes pressure from local communities. The destruction, pollution, and displacement of communities plus the plundering of natural resources have caused a social movement aimed at reducing its impacts. The NGO (CODDEFFAGOLF) that leads the movement since 1988 has set the objective to achieve the declaration of Wetland Protected Areas in the Gulf of Fonseca.
IMAGE # 2: EXPANSION OF SHRIMP AQUACULTURE IN THE PROTECTED AREA AND PART OF THE "SITE RAMSAR # 1000," LA BERBERÍA "
In the Landsat image 1999 is we see destructive shrimp expansion in “La Berbería”, Municipality of El Triunfo, Choluteca. To conserve the remaining wetlands CODDEFFAGOLF proposed to establish a protected area, within which are included sections of shrimp farms called “intensive use zones”, in order to halt their expansion.
In July 1999, during the Ramsar Convention held in Costa Rica, Honduras shrimp farmers (ANDAH) are surprised by the announcement that wetlands of the Gulf of Fonseca have been designated as "Ramsar sites," (74,884 acres) which became the #1000 site among the world's wetlands. Massive protests led by the fishermen and CODDEFFAGOLF, forced negotiations with the shrimp industry. On 20 January 2000, this "Site" is included in the Protected Areas of the Gulf of Fonseca (81,378 ha) by Decree 5-99-E of the National Congress. “La Berbería” is assigned 5667 acres of wetlands. The objective seems to have been met as it is expected to halt the spread shrimp and put the remaining wetlands under conservation measures.
SHRIMP FARM “ EL FARO”:
A few months after the publication of the Decree, a Spanish company known in Honduras as the “El Faro” of Mr. Jaime Soriano disrespecting the Ramsar Convention, national laws and without environmental license converts over 100 hectares of wetlands in “La Berbería’s protected area into shrimp ponds. Complaints, demonstrations, and protests of fishermen are of little use. The company "El Faro" supported by the police and the complicity of government officials has its way. It forces fishermen to negotiate what are inadequate compensation measures.
SHRIMP FARM EMAR I:
Meanwhile the company EMAR I expands without an environmental license over tens of hectares.
2004: CONDEMNATION OF "EL FARO", "GMSB" GOVERNMENT OF HONDURAS AND WORLD BANK
In 2004 the Central American Water Tribunal condemns the government of Honduras and the shrimp farms El Faro, Sea Farms of Honduras (GGMSB) and the World Bank for pollution and destruction of wetlands. The verdict is an ethical and moral conviction, and therefore does not result in any punishment.
2005: MANAGEMENT PLANS
After the legal declaration of the protected areas, (2000), shrimp farmers under ANDAH delay the approval of management plans until 2005. The management plans for the "Sub System Natural Protected Areas of the Southern Zone,” which includes “La Berbería" are submitted and approved only under local, national and international pressure.
IMAGE # 3:
USE MAP BY MANAGEMENT PLAN 2005
The picture above shows the continuous expansion of shrimp farms into wetlands (in red) in complete disregard of the Ramsar Convention and the Act of Congress in November 2005.
2008, SHRIMP FARM EXCASUR: Destruction is spurred by high international demand for shrimp. In 2008 CODDEFFAGOLF presents a complaint during a Workshop on Protected Areas, attended by regional and central authorities. It presents images in “La Berbería” where shrimp farmers have been caught "red-handed" using 6 tractors to destroy hundreds of acres of wetlands without an environmental license. The authorities order a halt to operations but they are resumed the next day to finish the shrimp farm which is called EXCASUR.
FIG. # 6: CAMARONERA EXCASUR
2010 EMAR I SHRIMP AND EMAR II: On January 26, 2010 EMAR II is granted an environmental permit for construction of shrimp farms in 169 hectares by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA) in a unique process that lasts only 5 days (21-26 January). In that short period, it also gives a license to EMAR I that was operating for several years without environmental license. SERNA issues three favorable opinions among its own agencies, in a single day before the inauguration of a new president! The authorities concerned provide access to areas for "intensive" shrimp aquaculture. CODDEFFAGOLF asks for the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate the site, but this is not considered by the environmental authorities and very soon they destroy 169 hectares of wetland within the Protected Area and Ramsar site.
FIG. # 7 : EMAR EXPANSION ON “LA BERBERÍA”
As if this were not enough, EXCASUR, who had earlier been punished for environmental crimes, only waited for EMAR II to conclude with impunity its shrimp farm, to start expanding on their own on tens of hectares, claiming to have an environmental license dated December 15 2009.
FIG. # 8 : EXCASUR EXPANSION ON “LA BERBERÍA”
The irony and cynicism is that in all these cases the police and army have been protecting operations, equipment and facilities of the shrimp farmers. The President of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) expressed: We need more security because while farmers in the Lower Aguan try to recover land, in the south (Gulf of Fonseca) they have "seized" a shrimp farm and this cannot be allowed because it will scare away investment." Other news media blame “the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez of being the cause of the protests” (!!).
FIG. # 9: HEAVILY ARMED POLICE PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENTAL DESTROYERS
To prove that government officials work in cahoots with shrimp farmers, the CODDEFFAGOLF decides to conduct an evaluation in the field to check the spatial location of the area of interest. The conclusions are:
With the analysis of a geographic information system (GIS), it concludes that the area is not "intensive multiple use" with which the authorities seek to justify their crime and also:
That the zoning of the Management Plan categorized as "intensive multiple use zone" are the same areas of shrimp farms that already existed at that time (1999). Therefore, there was no room for expansion to this area.
That the granting of environmental permits that led to the expansion of aquaculture within "Ramsar Site # 1000 in “La Berbería” did not consider the General Environmental Law. It did not respect the National System of Environmental Impact Assessment. It did not respect the Protected Areas Act 5-99-E. It did not respect "Site Ramsar # 1000” or the guidelines of the Management Plan.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS:
Local level:
On March 5, 2010, over two hundred acres of wetlands were converted into shrimp farms in the Gulf of Fonseca in addition to thousands of others that have already been converted. In “La Berbería”, wildlife has lost most of their habitat, and fishermen have lost or are struggling for access to the mangroves, and food sources for survival. They are also pressing the industry directly for compensation’s measures? What about environmental mitigation’s measures?
National level:
The discrediting of the Honduran' legal system is almost complete. The institutions that work for environmental conservation act as junior business partners and recently participated in a coup d’etat. The coup plotters seem to remain in power behind the mask of a new Democracy. The Director of ANDAH is the brother of former dictator Micheletti. He seems to have taken advantage of their relationship to reach agreements between ANDAH and government institutions, agreements that are attacks on natural resources. These conventions and agreements are still in force under the new government.
International level:
The Ramsar Convention seems to ignore this situation, which is not unique to Honduras, and although known, they have only limited power to advise the Government of Honduras on how to improve its behavior.
The World Conservation Union and Oxfam Novib, both in the Netherlands, the Wildlife Fund (WWF-USA) among other international NGOs seem to have shifted their interest in conservation and now are in the business of certifying shrimp aquaculture. ANDAH goes also after such certification.
The Ramsar Site # 1000, is a tiny example of what happens in all countries of the tropical zone of the planet, where the sum of impacts is contributing to climate change, destruction of biodiversity and loss of food self-sufficiency.
As the insatiable demand for shrimp continues in Europe, Japan, USA and Australia, wetland ecosystems continue to disappear. Does it matter?
EXAMPLE:
EXPANSION OF SHRIMP FARMS WITHIN A PROTECTED AREA
RAMSAR SITE # 1000
By: Jorge Varela Marquez
March, 2010
Wetlands are ecosystems with high biodiversity that are perennially or seasonally flooded by fresh, brackish, or seawater with a maximum depth of 6 meters. In some cases they are swamps marshes, bogs, lakes or lagoons, usually accompanied by grasses, marine algae, mangroves or other vegetation. In other cases, they are temporarily dry but become productive and full of life during the rainy season.
Fig. # 1: BIODIVERSITY, TRADITIONAL FISHING AND WETLANDS TRAFFIC WETLANDS:
Mangrove Forest
Mangrove ecosystems including flats, lagoons, swamps, pasture and so on are seen as useless land by hotel operators, shrimp, and other "developers,” thus justifying the destruction of wetlands and replace them with hotels, housing colonies, shrimp farms and other activities they consider most productive, regardless of environmental damage, and the social and economic cost to local communities and humanity.
DESTRUCTION OF WETLANDS IN HONDURAS
Fig. # 3: WINTER WETLANDS (Laguna)
Fig. # 4: SUMMER WETLANDS (Playon)
Fig. # 5: WETLAND CONVERTED INTO A SHRIMP FARM
On 2 February 1971, several countries gathered in the city of Ramsar in Iran to draft the Ramsar Convention, which entered into force in 1975. It currently considers the environmental, social and economic value of wetlands. It is concerned with the conservation of waterfowl, fish, crustaceans, reptiles, mammals, and all the indigenous biodiversity of the ecosystems mentioned above. In addition, it considers their importance for carbon sequestration (the mitigation of climate change), control of pollutants, regulation of groundwater salinity, water storage, restoration of fisheries, food independence, contribution to marine primary productivity, economic and social contributions, decreased erosion, and protection from winds and storms, among other benefits.
Since 23 October 1993, Honduras is one of the contracting parties of the international Ramsar Convention, consisting of more than 158 countries that meet every three years to present their "country report." Honduras boasts of having declared and protected five "Ramsar Sites" that together comprise 223,320 hectares of wetlands supposedly under state protection. In this opportunity and as an example of false "protection" we can refer to what is happening in one part of the "Ramsar Site # 1000" in the Gulf of Fonseca.
IMAGE # 1: WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS, “LA BERBERÍA”, 1987 LANDSAT SATELLITE IMAGE.
In l987, we see the tropical coastal wetland ecosystem of “La Berbería” (Barbary) irrigated by streams, along which are mangroves, and scattered grasses, poaceae, legumes and other vegetation on saline level ground, called flats. This group harbors large resident and migratory biodiversity. It is of interest to fishing communities and allows them access to firewood, hunting, fishing and recreation in mangroves, lagoons, and estuaries in the gulf.
The expansion of shrimp aquaculture in Honduras began in 1972. By 2010, it remains without any plan for its development and expansion. The only mechanisms controlling its growth are shrimp diseases, the fall of international shrimp prices, falling demand, and sometimes pressure from local communities. The destruction, pollution, and displacement of communities plus the plundering of natural resources have caused a social movement aimed at reducing its impacts. The NGO (CODDEFFAGOLF) that leads the movement since 1988 has set the objective to achieve the declaration of Wetland Protected Areas in the Gulf of Fonseca.
IMAGE # 2: EXPANSION OF SHRIMP AQUACULTURE IN THE PROTECTED AREA AND PART OF THE "SITE RAMSAR # 1000," LA BERBERÍA "
In the Landsat image 1999 is we see destructive shrimp expansion in “La Berbería”, Municipality of El Triunfo, Choluteca. To conserve the remaining wetlands CODDEFFAGOLF proposed to establish a protected area, within which are included sections of shrimp farms called “intensive use zones”, in order to halt their expansion.
In July 1999, during the Ramsar Convention held in Costa Rica, Honduras shrimp farmers (ANDAH) are surprised by the announcement that wetlands of the Gulf of Fonseca have been designated as "Ramsar sites," (74,884 acres) which became the #1000 site among the world's wetlands. Massive protests led by the fishermen and CODDEFFAGOLF, forced negotiations with the shrimp industry. On 20 January 2000, this "Site" is included in the Protected Areas of the Gulf of Fonseca (81,378 ha) by Decree 5-99-E of the National Congress. “La Berbería” is assigned 5667 acres of wetlands. The objective seems to have been met as it is expected to halt the spread shrimp and put the remaining wetlands under conservation measures.
SHRIMP FARM “ EL FARO”:
A few months after the publication of the Decree, a Spanish company known in Honduras as the “El Faro” of Mr. Jaime Soriano disrespecting the Ramsar Convention, national laws and without environmental license converts over 100 hectares of wetlands in “La Berbería’s protected area into shrimp ponds. Complaints, demonstrations, and protests of fishermen are of little use. The company "El Faro" supported by the police and the complicity of government officials has its way. It forces fishermen to negotiate what are inadequate compensation measures.
SHRIMP FARM EMAR I:
Meanwhile the company EMAR I expands without an environmental license over tens of hectares.
2004: CONDEMNATION OF "EL FARO", "GMSB" GOVERNMENT OF HONDURAS AND WORLD BANK
In 2004 the Central American Water Tribunal condemns the government of Honduras and the shrimp farms El Faro, Sea Farms of Honduras (GGMSB) and the World Bank for pollution and destruction of wetlands. The verdict is an ethical and moral conviction, and therefore does not result in any punishment.
2005: MANAGEMENT PLANS
After the legal declaration of the protected areas, (2000), shrimp farmers under ANDAH delay the approval of management plans until 2005. The management plans for the "Sub System Natural Protected Areas of the Southern Zone,” which includes “La Berbería" are submitted and approved only under local, national and international pressure.
IMAGE # 3:
USE MAP BY MANAGEMENT PLAN 2005
The picture above shows the continuous expansion of shrimp farms into wetlands (in red) in complete disregard of the Ramsar Convention and the Act of Congress in November 2005.
2008, SHRIMP FARM EXCASUR: Destruction is spurred by high international demand for shrimp. In 2008 CODDEFFAGOLF presents a complaint during a Workshop on Protected Areas, attended by regional and central authorities. It presents images in “La Berbería” where shrimp farmers have been caught "red-handed" using 6 tractors to destroy hundreds of acres of wetlands without an environmental license. The authorities order a halt to operations but they are resumed the next day to finish the shrimp farm which is called EXCASUR.
FIG. # 6: CAMARONERA EXCASUR
2010 EMAR I SHRIMP AND EMAR II: On January 26, 2010 EMAR II is granted an environmental permit for construction of shrimp farms in 169 hectares by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA) in a unique process that lasts only 5 days (21-26 January). In that short period, it also gives a license to EMAR I that was operating for several years without environmental license. SERNA issues three favorable opinions among its own agencies, in a single day before the inauguration of a new president! The authorities concerned provide access to areas for "intensive" shrimp aquaculture. CODDEFFAGOLF asks for the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate the site, but this is not considered by the environmental authorities and very soon they destroy 169 hectares of wetland within the Protected Area and Ramsar site.
FIG. # 7 : EMAR EXPANSION ON “LA BERBERÍA”
As if this were not enough, EXCASUR, who had earlier been punished for environmental crimes, only waited for EMAR II to conclude with impunity its shrimp farm, to start expanding on their own on tens of hectares, claiming to have an environmental license dated December 15 2009.
FIG. # 8 : EXCASUR EXPANSION ON “LA BERBERÍA”
The irony and cynicism is that in all these cases the police and army have been protecting operations, equipment and facilities of the shrimp farmers. The President of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) expressed: We need more security because while farmers in the Lower Aguan try to recover land, in the south (Gulf of Fonseca) they have "seized" a shrimp farm and this cannot be allowed because it will scare away investment." Other news media blame “the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez of being the cause of the protests” (!!).
FIG. # 9: HEAVILY ARMED POLICE PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENTAL DESTROYERS
To prove that government officials work in cahoots with shrimp farmers, the CODDEFFAGOLF decides to conduct an evaluation in the field to check the spatial location of the area of interest. The conclusions are:
With the analysis of a geographic information system (GIS), it concludes that the area is not "intensive multiple use" with which the authorities seek to justify their crime and also:
That the zoning of the Management Plan categorized as "intensive multiple use zone" are the same areas of shrimp farms that already existed at that time (1999). Therefore, there was no room for expansion to this area.
That the granting of environmental permits that led to the expansion of aquaculture within "Ramsar Site # 1000 in “La Berbería” did not consider the General Environmental Law. It did not respect the National System of Environmental Impact Assessment. It did not respect the Protected Areas Act 5-99-E. It did not respect "Site Ramsar # 1000” or the guidelines of the Management Plan.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS:
Local level:
On March 5, 2010, over two hundred acres of wetlands were converted into shrimp farms in the Gulf of Fonseca in addition to thousands of others that have already been converted. In “La Berbería”, wildlife has lost most of their habitat, and fishermen have lost or are struggling for access to the mangroves, and food sources for survival. They are also pressing the industry directly for compensation’s measures? What about environmental mitigation’s measures?
National level:
The discrediting of the Honduran' legal system is almost complete. The institutions that work for environmental conservation act as junior business partners and recently participated in a coup d’etat. The coup plotters seem to remain in power behind the mask of a new Democracy. The Director of ANDAH is the brother of former dictator Micheletti. He seems to have taken advantage of their relationship to reach agreements between ANDAH and government institutions, agreements that are attacks on natural resources. These conventions and agreements are still in force under the new government.
International level:
The Ramsar Convention seems to ignore this situation, which is not unique to Honduras, and although known, they have only limited power to advise the Government of Honduras on how to improve its behavior.
The World Conservation Union and Oxfam Novib, both in the Netherlands, the Wildlife Fund (WWF-USA) among other international NGOs seem to have shifted their interest in conservation and now are in the business of certifying shrimp aquaculture. ANDAH goes also after such certification.
The Ramsar Site # 1000, is a tiny example of what happens in all countries of the tropical zone of the planet, where the sum of impacts is contributing to climate change, destruction of biodiversity and loss of food self-sufficiency.
As the insatiable demand for shrimp continues in Europe, Japan, USA and Australia, wetland ecosystems continue to disappear. Does it matter?