Don't Cut off Our Fuel Subsidy which we got with giving our life-Negombo Fishermen

The Fisheries Organizations unity lead by Catholic priests organized a protest today. Lenie Fernando, our fisheries comrade who broke away leader from the fisheries trade union met us and sought out support yesterday once we sat for the organizing 15th February protest at Chilaw. Hundreds of thousands of fishermen in boats as well as in the land got together the protest. There were more than 15 priests lead the protest at Kothalawala bridge at Negombo. Interestingly Minister Rajitha Senaratne speaking to media accused NGOs again, "There are NGOs questioned the fuel price and instigate the fishermen on fuel price. Even last time also they created such havoc and lost the life of innocent fisherman at Chilaw. They are doing the same again this time too." These allegations we reject outright as we were not organized those protests even today and in 2012 February. Fishermen came to the streets spontaneously and agitated 10 days and got the fuel subsidy. Now Government is trying to cut down the subsidy giving some materials worth on 100,000 LKR one time for ever. Deputy Minister Sarath Gunaratne was also there at watching first and joining the protest. He had agreed [again] he would arrange a meeting with the President to discuss these issues with him. But, my question to those authorities are follows; 1. Is Minister Rajitha Senarathne know, his deputy minister joined the fishermen's agitation against fuel subsidy cut off? 2. Why Deputy Minister Sarath Gunarathne joined this agitation of this is organized by NGO? 3. When the Deputy Minister Sarath Gunarathne joined to NGOs to agitate against the Government? Or against fisheries Minister? When fisher people agitate against them, Minister Fisheries accuses NGOs to prevent the blame from the society. Some photographs of today protest is seen as below. Herman

NEGOMBO DECLARATION on VG-SSF

NAFSO hosted the Work Shop on Voluntary Guidelines on Small Scale Fisheries at Negombo last week. Action Aid International supported to Asia Consultation on VG-SSF which was attended representatives from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Negombo declaration was prepared and circulated among the participants and I would like to up load it in my Blog. Herman Negombo Declaration 2014 on governance of small scale fisheries We the representatives of national and regional small scale fishers organisations, International support organisations and networks, from nine Asian countries met at Negombo, Sri Lanka on 13-14 January 2014 in order to stock take the existing and emerging challenges faced by Small Scale Fishers in Asia and to discuss critical and open issues related to Voluntary Guidelines on Small Scale Fishery to be shared with CSO negotiation team prior to final round of technical consultation on VG SSF scheduled in February 2014 in Rome. In Asia Small Scale Fishery is an important sector, contributing immensely to food security and livelihoods of the population. The Small Scale Fishery in Asia contributes to over 90% of the fisher population in all over the world which reflects the importance to the global fisheries scenario too. Apart from structural issues, the consultation has illustrated a number of challenges faced by sector and extreme vulnerability of the all associated with this sector, which result into various forms of discriminations against Small Scale Fishers, worsening their conditions. These include climate change threats, threats of eviction and displacement due to development projects like SEZ, Tourism, Nuclear and Thermal Power plants, industrial aqua culture etc. leading to unprecedented land, sea and water body grabbing and resulting into denial of small fishers access to natural and productive resources for pursuing their livelihoods. Moreover, we have noticed steady increase in systematic violations of rights of indigenous fishers, fisherwomen, war affected ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups by the state and other actors and non implementation of policies which would ensure enabling environment for Small Scale Fishers to exercise their human rights with dignity. Increased pollution due to dumping of nuclear, chemical and garbage wastes, destruction of mangroves, destruction of biodiversity due to industrial fishing practices like usage of harmful fishing gears and explosives and depletion of fish stock due to over fishing have added to the plight of Small Scale Fishers. Women headed households in small scale fisheries are particularly vulnerable. Faulty river water management and absence of sharing policies and practices between countries, lack of uniformity in banning periods, other trans boarder issues like harassments, abduction and imprisonment of small scale fishers across borders, migration, trafficking and violation of human rights have emerged as major challenges. Another major challenge we have noticed is the consistent threat and insecurity faced by the human right defenders involved in this sector. We have also noticed lacunae in legal frameworks in our countries when it comes to recognising Small Scale Fishersy, particularly for fisher women. There is also no comprehensive initiative to promote ecosystem approach to sustainable small scale fisheries. In this context we welcome the initiative of developing Voluntary Guideline (VG)for Small Scale Fishery by member States of FAO. We appreciate the consultative process initiated by FAO and involvement of CSOs in developing the document. We further recognise the fact that the final round of technical consultation will be our last opportunity to enrich the document with grassroots experiences. In this context, after going through the latest version of the negotiated text and CSO position paper, we the participants of this consultation would like to draw attention of policymakers/heads of state to following issues to ensure grounded action:  The Guideline should be made mandatory and not Voluntary  Governance should be retained in the guideline as Governance which enables Small Scale Fisher’s rights to determine their own development paradigm  VG SSF must retain wordings ‘Marginalised and vulnerable groups’ and add marginalised and vulnerable communities, both, should have special attention in the document  VG SSF must ensure that Indigenous people and ethnic minorities among SSF’s are able to enjoy their rights  Reference of WTO should be taken out from VG SSF  VG SSF must ensure that legitimate tenure right holders must enjoy full rights irrespective of the formal recording  VG SSF should highlight the fact that community must have right to manage their natural resources and it should not be disturbed by third parties  Safety in marine and inland fishing should be guaranteed and VG SSF should provide guidance to develop appropriate redressal mechanism for trans-border issues as mentioned above  VG SSF should further ensure mechanism to protect human rights defenders  VG SSF must emphasise on the fact that FPIC must be given full effect in all SSF related interventions  In VG SSF, redistributive reform agenda should be considered in a way to benefit SSF, with specific benefits to women.  In VG SSF emphasis should be given on revitalising traditional and customary institutions in SSF VG SSF must promote Small Scale Fishers access to full range of social security guaranteed by the state  Small Scale Fishers must have access to full range of social security guaranteed by the state  We recognise the fact that many SSF operate in informal economy and thus it is imperative to incorporate informal economy in the guideline  We strongly recommend the accountability of the States over the full pledged implementation of the VG-SSF, and that guideline provides a Monitoring and Evaluation framework incorporating adequate participation of CSOs  Finally we recommend that the guideline provide a broad definition of ‘Small Scale’ to be further interpreted in respective country context We recognise the importance of grounding VG SSF in national policies and practices. We strongly demand genuine political will and commitment from our national governments to implement the guidelines, to recognise and promote SSF in our countries. We also demand that the State representatives are adequately equipped with detailed information on small scale fishery in their respective countries and take effective part in any consultation related to VG SSF. We demand to our Governments; • Immediately stop development induced displacement of Small Scale Fishers (land and ocean grabbing) • Recognise Small Scale Fishers and in particular fisherwomen and ensure gender sensitive policies • Review and revise fisheries policies, laws and rules in light of VG SSF • Carry forward gender sensitive redistributive reform agenda in Small Scale Fishery, strengthen infrastructure for Small Scale Fishery and promote Small Scale Fishery friendly value chain • Strengthen climate resilient fishing practices and increase scope for diversified livelihoods • Ensure adequate water flow for ecological resilience, rehabilitation and renewal • Ensure inclusive governance in Small Scale Fishery • Promote public sector investment in Small Scale Fishery and capacity building of all actors in this sector • Stop promoting industrial fishing, industrial aqua culture and recognise and support ecosystem approach in sustainable small scale fisheries • Ensure dedicated Small Scale Fishery boards in countries and enhance coordination and communication among relevant ministries, departments and CSO for betterment of Small Scale Fishers. • Engage in effective policy dialogues at sub-regional/regional levels with neighbouring countries to resolve trans border issues as mentioned above We the CSOs, urge State to take action to implement the VG-SSF once adopted. We commit to fully cooperate with the governments and other relevant actors in facilitating implementation of VG SSF at all levels and to promote all policies and practices in support of small scale fisheries.

We all were together in the Dialogue in 2010.: NAFSO was in the fore front in the dialogue.

I was explored some of my previous photographs to refresh my memories of the Fishers to Fishers Dialogue we facilitated in August 2010. NAFSO did the facilitation in collaboration with SIFFS in India. In our journey to Rameshwaram to Nagapattinam, the east coast of India, in Tamil Nadu State, my room mate was Mr. Lal De Silva who was the director, Monitoring Controlling and Surveillance division of the Ministry of Fisheries. I particularly mentioned Mr. Lal De Silva because we had very close dialogue on this issue and to find a solution on the same issue since 2010. Also, I was able to find another photograph which was taken at Chennai, TN, when Mr. Pathirana the then Director General of Fisheries received the fishers to fishers agreement at the third and final day of the dialogue held at Chennai. In fact Dr. Rajitha Senarathne supposed to attend this work on final day although he had sent his Director General of Fisheries on behalf of him to receive the agreement. This is the past and clear fact though Fisheries Minister now saying "Self Appointed Group" visited to India and invited to Indian Fishermen to come to our waters. It was appeared in Daily Mirror news paper last week. But, it is me in the middle of the below photograph in between Mr. Pathirana, DG Fisheries and Mr. Suriyakumaran the chairman of the Northern Province Fisher People's Unity. Also, it is Mr. Lal De Silva, the director of MCS division of the ministry of fisheries is also appear in the second photograph behind Mr. Anthony Jesudasan in the stage. Who is saying lies? All these are clear evidences of the collaboration of Ministry of fisheries, NAFSO, Sri Lanka and SIFFS, South India on the Indian Sri Lanka Fisheries issue. No one can say these are not true. Herman

Inidan- Sri Lankan fisheries dialogues in progress!

Melani Manel of Asia News interviewed me about the on going dialogues at New Delhi on release of fishermen and also Indu Sri Lanka fisheries issues. She had sent me the link and I would like to share the same with you for your information. Herman 01/20/2014 14:11 SRI LANKA Fisher activist welcomes agreement between India and Sri Lanka by Melani Manel Perera Herman Kumara, a special guest at the World Forum for Fisher People (WFFP) and president of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO), talks to AsiaNews about the ongoing negotiations between New Delhi and Colombo. After the release of detained fishermen, the two nations now aim at stopping incursions into each other's territorial waters. For the full text : http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Fisher-activist-welcomes-agreement-between-India-and-Sri-Lanka-30081.html

Concerned Citizens of Sri Lanka need to be alert and act in the alarming situation!

Today, I could meet some fishermen at Gandarawella and also at Thalalla sea beach. Both the communities are affected with two different issues though they are coming through the globalization, privatization and marginalization process of so called development process in the post war context. In Gandara wella, Dayananda, a small scale fisherman, a member of NAFSO narrated their pathetic story. "We were demanding a harbour for parking our fishing crafts for years. But, we did not want to loose our land and houses and leave the village. We have been living here for our life time and there is no any intention to leave this place. But, we expect justice to our community as we cannot do our fishing activities when we are living far from the coast." There will be around 20 houses be demolished to build up the harbour. "We were affected by tsunami 2004 and given houses out side. But, there is no point of giving houses completely out of the sea coast. That is why we are not moved out from the coast." There seems no even compensations paid to those who will be displaced. People seems no interest to receive any compensation even government offer them as a part of the loose of the houses and land. In Thalalla, the small boat operators, again NAFSO members have affected by the tourism. "We can not put up even a temporary hut to keep our nets, engines, or any equipments in our own beach. What a development is this? The people live in their own land are being thrown out in the name of development. Tourist hotels and hoteliers are day by day encroach our own lands. Some people sell their land to hoteliers in a higher rates and leave the areas. But, we fishermen who are depending on the sea and the coast, can not leave the land." This is frustrated voice of fisher leader of Thalalla. "When we were sitting in the sea shore, police come and chase us away saying we are disturbing the tourists. This is our land and our beach, our boat parking anchorage point. We can come and go to our place where ever I need. But, our freedom, our movements, our livelihoods disturbed with the tourism industry here." An old fishermen, around 6o years old shared his views at Thalalla. "There is no space for us. We are push away from our own coast. The same space is replaced the facilities for tourists. Are we citizens of this country? Don't we have any ownership of these coasts we have been using for generations since out fore-fathers? We need answers from our authorities. Once Coast Conservation Department come and tell us, we will be fined Rs. 100,000 if we put up even a temporary fishing hut at our own coast.? Can any one tell us this is our country belong to us? Or any foreigners come and go for tourism?" These are important aspects to consider as people are loosing their fishing grounds, agricultural lands, lagoons, fresh water reservoirs in many parts of the country, although politicians in the country are saying they do not privatize any public properties as previous regimes were doing this in the past. It is hard to see any response from the society today, as the whole society became increasing a numbing situation day by day. Herman

Economics of Fishing by Multi Day Crafts in Sri Lanka- A Research of REINCORPFISH

The Multi day Boat survey report was presented to the REINCORPFISH partner group by Dr. Oscar Amarasinghe which was much awaited by the group. The report has come up with some interesting in sights. The topic of the survey is "ECONOMICS OF FISHING BY MULTI - DAY CRAFTS OF SRI LANKA" which gave a very good overview of the Sri Lankan multi day fishing industry. The study has been carried out in Negombo, Beruwala, Galle, Tangalle and Trincomalee harbours. There should be an in-depth discussion on the out come of the report as there are number of policy implications of the fisheries sector. The deep sea fisheries policy and how the authorities are promoting further larger vessels has been challenged the report. The average size of the profitable vessels would be 36-38' category while the vessel exceeds this limits the profits will goes down according to Oscar Amarasinghe's report. In the report, it revealed that the vessels launching from Galle harbor seems lesser tendency to get arrest in foreign countries while the vessels launch from Tangalle harbor has highest tendency to get arrest in foreign countries. Results of the study revealed that, multiday fishing is quite costly, which required heavy investment on crafts. Value of a multiday craft with accessories and gear ranged from Rs. 5 m to 6.3 m. These crafts are equipped with a fish hold which could store fish in ice, a fuel tank that could hold a large volume of fuel a water tank, radio communication equipment and location finding devices such as GPS. They have a cabin to provide accommodation for crew and facilities for cooking. These crafts generally target tuna, shark, billfish, and mackerel resources, using fishing gear such as long lining and gillnetting. They are usually engaged in long fishing trips, often 1 week to 1 month in duration. A good number of these crafts fish beyond Sri Lank’s EEZ, in territories such as the Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal, other Indian waters, Andaman Islands, Nicorbar Islands, Maldive Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Bangladesh, Madagascar Indonesia and Australian Islands. The duration of some of these fishing trips exceed 45 days. NAFSO expect to conduct a study based on the report in which Oscar Amarasinghe would attend to discussion and awareness program with NAFSO activists. Herman

Scholars come together to find solution to the issues in Palk Bay

Reincorpfish, the name of the research and policy dialogue program among scientists and activist organizations to find a bottom up solution to the India SL trawler issues. Of course, both can benefit each other and now we are engage in the same work at Ruhuna university. The annual program of Reincorpfish is the opportunity to meet all relevant people from India, South Africa, Netherlands and from Sri Lanka. This is a very good learning and sharing process. The situation within the project environment is unlikely to assess political culture of the country. The political economy is well connected to the fisheries issues in Palk Bay in which should address politically based on scientific evidences. Our dilemma is how to match this together as SL politicians think they know anything and everything under the sun. This may be overcome to a certain extent through the fisheries governance work shop which will be held at Colombo university next week, if the politicians pay attention and send their respective officials to attend it. We do hope our fisher people's issues will be addressed by knowledgeble people in the country. It is important that the University scholars from Jaffna, Colombo, Ruhuna, Cape Town, Amsterdam, Oceanography, come together first time in history to find solution for a national issue. We are hopeful the out come as well as the follow up actions of the process. Media also could play a major role in it. We are hopeful. Herman

Need Experience Fisher Leaders at the negotiation table at Tamil Nadu, India

Lot of media attention being paid on the Indian- Sri Lankan fisheries dialogue to be held on 20th January. BBC Sandeshaya Sinhala service, the New Indian Express and local media station approached me about the fisheries news. I had to post some photographs to media of the previous fisheries discussion we engaged in 2010 August in India. So, the media is highly pay attention on these discussions. Justin Zoysa, the chairperson of Mannar district rural fisheries society has been announced first from fishing communities about this dialogue. Then Emeliyanu Pillai, the chairperson of Northern province fisheries cooperative federation had informed Jesudasan, my colleague that he is not clear about who are going to attend the discussions as they were not informed. Also, they do nothave any faith once the southern groups involve this on behalf of them and with out them there is no successful dialogue and consensus. Emelinus Pillai was a member of the delegation who went to India in August 2010, which was facilitated by NAFSO and SIFFS/ARIF. Also, Dr. Steve Creech, a ex-NAFSO staff shared with me the concerns of Mohommed Alam of Mannar District Fisheries Federation chairperson, a member of the northern province fisher people's alliance. He is also disturbed as there is no such invitation to the fisher leaders who were the main responsible people in the fisheries sector even during the time of LTTE controlled the area. It was NAFSO and Caritas engaged the dialogue in July 2004. This dialogue was futile as there was no follow up due to tsunami devastation in December 2004 and also the war which began in 2005. At the same time, NAFSO was instrumental to follow up discussions in August 2010, which NAFSO brought 25 people to India and launched dialogues from Rameshwaram to Nagapattinam, in Mallipattinam, Pudukottai, districts. Finally, we had 3 days dialogue with the fisher leaders who were come from those communities and arrived at an agreement, not to come to Sri Lankan waters after August 2011 and even they come to SL waters do not bring any destructive fishing gears, and only come 2 days per week etc. Mr.D.W.Pathorana, the Director General of Fisheries attended the final day discussions and received the agreement between SL fisher leaders and TN fisher leaders. However, the same agreement was totally rejected by the SL authorities saying they do not respect this type of agreement at all. However, fisheries minister Rajitha Senarathne agreed to come to India to receive the agreement as well as send two members from fisheries ministry to attend the dialogues there in India. Now, the same minister is bringing some fishermen to India to discuss the India-SL fisheries issues and come up with a solutions. We are awaiting to see the out come of the dialogue between Indian and SL fishermen coming 20th. But, our emphasis is to bring experienced fishermen to this dialogue who know the realities in the both the sides. We wish all the success on behalf of our fishermen who were the worst affected more than 25 years due to brutal war. We do hope our contributions will also be an important factor to success of the dialogue. Herman

Sampur: Will the grabbed land be given back to People?

It is really disturbing news we received from Raheem Nana of Trincomallee Fisheries Solidarity Organization [TRIFSO] for the PA steering committee. The fisher people in many villages are facing serious troubles as many people dressed with casual suits are disturbing their livelihoods at Trincomalee in eastern province of SLK. People suspects them as Navy though they do not have any proof of it. It was Sampur people lost their land and living in a pathetic situation as they were not fully provided shelter for them. Sampur people are firmly stand to get their land back and also challenge the authorities to resettle the displaced people as early as possible. Some land has been given to construct saltern while some land were used for prawn farms. At the same time, Indian companies expect further development of oil tanks, Coal Power plant and Special Economic Zone to develop in the Sampur area which people are opposing to it. There is no guarantee that Sampur people will resettle their place of origin after crying their own land for years, particularly 4 years after the war.

Herman