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

We want our Fishermen back home soon!

My Colleague Gayan Ambegoda, in the media unit has been posted a video quoting from the Hiru TV. There are 213 fishermen held in Chennai central jail and Tuticorine in Tamil Nadu for more than 3 months now. Most of those fishermen are from Thoduwawa, Negombo, CHilaw, Trincomalee and Kalpitiya areas. Fisher communities around Negombo, Chilaw areas have been fighting in the streets. GOSL is attempting to take time and now they have pushed their leaders from the parallel structures to save the Ministry and the government. BBC London service approached me inquiring some of the information which was seems a kind of planted story. The deputy minister is highly articulated about the arrested fishermen and angry with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jeyalalitha. This is some what absurd position as the central governments in New Delhi and Colombo should take necessary steps to release the fishermen when they are arrested. The Joint Fisheries Working Group is the structure to accelerate the release of fishermen and send them back home. We, NAFSO wants to get the support from all possible parties to bring the fishermen back home and will facilitate a dialogue with Rev. Bandiwewe Diyasena Thero to mediate and assist us to bring the fishermen as earliest. The News Item appeared in the Hiry TV could be visited through the link below. Herman

We have only God to tell all these! No one else help us for our survival-Says Fishermen at Kudamaduwella beach

Fisher people living in Thoduwawa, Kudamaduwella, Barudalpola, Iranawila villages organized a religious event on 23rd at Kudamaduwella beach ground. This is an extension of the protest they organized at Thoppuwa, Kochchikade on 17th December. The protestors demanded 4 main points and the politicians who approached people promised to make arrangements to meet President the same day. But, this was also another broken promise to the people as those politicians could not keep the promise to meet president. It was only Fisheries minister Rajitha Senarathne met the people and there was no any satisfactory answer for their issues. For the foreign fishing vessels, he had projected the possibility to remove Chinese Vessels from the Sea by end of May only. But, it is with a condition. If President agree to remove vessels he can take the necessary steps and there is no any assurance. For the release of Sri Lankan fishermen who are detained in Indian jails, it is foreign ministry's responsibility and not the fisheries ministry. So, Rajitha Senarathne had put the ball in to the hands of Deputy foreign minister Neomal Perera who was present at the meeting. So, there is no clear answer for any of the issues the fishers raised. Now, people have decided to do all possible attempts to find a solution. Religious activities amidst the Christmas Celebrations are one among others. Around, 800 people gathered at the religious event and the Parish Priest at Kudamaduwella church lead the prayer service. Loyel Peiris, the Coordinator of Puttlam District Solidarity addressed the gathering and expressed the deep concern over the ineffectiveness of the authorities and the necessity to take speedy steps to find solutions for the issues raised by the people. Loyel Peiris mentioned that we need to organize island wide campaign with the participation of Small Scale Fishers, Boat owners, civil society organizations and political groups to protest against the authorities to take speedy actions. After the religious event, NAFSO convener, met the boat owners, some fisher leaders and discussed what would be the next possible steps to push the authorities for effective actions while organizing fisheries organizations island wide. The possible date discussed was the commemoration of Anthony Fernando, the assassinated fisher leader during the Fuel Struggle on 15th February, 2012. Herman