Fishermen agitate against trawler fishing in Jaffna peninsula seas

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 January 2010, 15:59 GMT]
More than 300 fishermen from Vadamaraadchi agitated Monday morning against trawler fishing by fishermen from South, India and local fish traders in the seas of Vadmaraadchi and Jaffna bay, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Trawler fishing which had robbed fish resources of the peninsula and damaged the fishing nets of local fishermen had been suspended during the peace period. Now, persons who are close to the ruling party politicians have begun to engage in trawler fishing in the peninsula making millions of rupees monthly by sending fish to the South of the country along A9 route, representatives of the Federation of Fisheries Societies in Jaffna peninsula said.

The demonstrating fishermen have sent an appeal Monday to government authorities to stop trawler fishing in Jaffna peninsula immediately and then to stop the trawlers from South and India from fishing in the seas of Jaffna peninsula.

During the suspension of trawler fishing in the peace period Jaffna peninsula fishermen were given compensation and alternative means of livelihood had been provided to them, the representatives of fisheries societies said.

Meanwhile, though government had promised certain concessions to Jaffna fishermen Monday they are not satisfied with the prevailing conditions which very much affect them, the representatives pointed out.