Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Calls for Ban on Bottom Trawling in Tamil Nadu
Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister urges CM Vijay to ban bottom trawling
The Hindu
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Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to ban bottom trawling, a fishing method banned in Sri Lanka since 2017. This call comes amid ongoing tensions over fishing rights in the Palk Strait, affecting fishermen on both sides.
- 01Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister advocates for a ban on bottom trawling in Tamil Nadu.
- 02The practice has been prohibited in Sri Lanka since 2017 due to its destructive nature.
- 03Recent arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen highlight ongoing tensions over fishing rights.
- 04Chandrasekar emphasizes the need for dialogue to resolve fisheries conflicts.
- 05Approximately 25% of the population in northern Sri Lanka relies on fisheries for their livelihood.
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On May 14, 2026, Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to impose a ban on bottom trawling, a fishing method that has been illegal in Sri Lanka since 2017. This request comes amid a longstanding fisheries conflict in the Palk Strait, which affects fishermen from both Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. During a press conference in Kilinochchi, Chandrasekar expressed his willingness to engage in discussions to resolve the ongoing tensions. He congratulated Vijay on his recent electoral victory, noting the public's desire for change and urging him to address critical issues that matter to the electorate. The Minister also referred to the recent arrests of six Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, asserting that these detentions are necessary to protect marine resources from illegal fishing practices. He highlighted that around 25% of the population in northern Sri Lanka depends on fisheries for their livelihoods and called on Vijay to identify and regulate those involved in bottom trawling. In 2026 alone, the Sri Lankan Navy reported the arrest of 346 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing activities.
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The proposed ban on bottom trawling could significantly affect fishing practices and livelihoods in Tamil Nadu, as well as reduce tensions with Sri Lanka.
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