Focus on plight of Palk Bay fishermen

RAMANATHAPURAM: A 15-member research team, comprising professors, lecturers and doctorate holders from Sri Lanka, South Africa, the Netherlands and India, is conducting research on the problems faced by fishermen in Palk Bay. The team with members from seven universities, including Jaffna University, Ruhuna University, Amsterdam University and some South African universities, is studying the problems fishermen face at sea.  The team members expressed concern over the rampant use of banned nets as they lead to depletion of marine resources. This could also result in migration of fish to other regions.Meanwhile, a two-member team of Jaffna University — Prof Susai Anandhan  and Ravindran — visited Rameswaram island to inspect the nets that fishermen in Palk Bay use. The two Sri Lankan experts expressed concern over the use of trawl nets and roller nets.They got details from small fishermen who face problems in the Palk Bay. It is said the use of banned nets has affected the livelihood of Lankan fishermen also. The team also inspected fishing equipment. Ravindran told Express that they have collected details of fishermen and their fishing gears also. The use of banned net and trespassing of the International Maritime Border Line were the big problems that the fishermen faced. He said the team would submit a report to the Netherlands University after conducting a thorough study. Jesu, a fisherman from Thankatchimadam, said the use of banned nets has been contained to a great extent by the officials in Rames- waram and no one used such nets now. He added that the trend of decrease in fish population has been on for the last few years. Devadas, president of fishermen cooperative societies in Rameswaram, said the use of banned nets was the issue that has to be tackled.