CALLING THE GOVERNMENT AND SEDEC/CARITAS FOR MEANINgFUL ACTION

The Sri Lankan Government and the National SEDEC/ CARITAS organisation of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, whose task needs to be vitally concerned with the burning issues of the country, should consider it a matter of urgency to listen not only to the painful cries of our  fishermen but also to  propose practical solutions to tide over the present difficult situation faced by  fishermen. Some examples:

1. Poaching by Indian Trawlers crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), using illegal methods of fishing, exploiting our marine resources and amassing much wealth while depriving our fishermen of their livelihood.

2. The use of “Leila” and “Surukku” nets used by many Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen in our territorial waters, causing much damage to our fishing industry and the livelihood of thousands of present and future generations fisher-families and  making the sea-bed a cemetery as well as causing violent protests leading to loss of peace  amongst the fisher-families. 

3. “Blast fishing”, commonly referred to as dynamite fishing, is an illegal and destructive form of fishing  on the rise in Sri Lanka. The explosive blast shock waves destroy marine life and causes damage to coral reefs.

Forewarned is forearmed with wisdom

Pope Francis in his Encyclopaedic “Laudato Si” shows concern for marine life. He also speaks of the harm that is being done by destructive fishing methods to marine life in the seas and oceans, thereby turning the seas into underwater cemeteries (no. 40, 41). Sri Lankan Government and the Catholic Bishops must point out to the fishermen that they should not turn the sea bed into a cemetery. In order to avoid such conflicts and resolve the problems among the fishermen, it is necessary that the Government of Sri Lanka and the Catholic Church try to provide experts  related to fisheries, oceanography and ecological issues to  enlighten  fishermen and trawler owners. 

Effective means need to be adopted by the Sri Lankan Government to prevent destruction of  Sri Lanka’s marine resources and empower the fishermen. Otherwise, it will be difficult to manage conflicts which  arise in our fishing villages and to ensure that  fishing will be   a valuable employment for  Sri Lankans.

-    Fr.Emmanuel Fernando,OMI