Kurikadduwan fishermen stage sea protest over Tamil Nadu trawler issue

Northern fishermen staged a black flag protest in the waters off Kurikadduwan on Wednesday, condemning repeated incursions by Indian trawlers from Tamil Nadu and demanding stronger action to protect their livelihoods.

The demonstration took place in the sea area between Nainativu and Kurikadduwan, where fishermen sailed in fiberglass boats while flying black flags as a symbol of protest.

The protesters said Indian trawler boats have repeatedly crossed the maritime boundary and engaged in destructive bottom trawling, causing severe damage to local fishing grounds, nets and equipment.

Fishermen said the continued incursions amount to the plunder of marine resources relied on by Tamil fishing communities across the Northern Province and the island communities off Jaffna.

They said the destruction of nets and fishing gear has left many families facing losses worth millions of rupees, while repeated incursions have made it increasingly difficult for local fishermen to safely carry out their daily work.

The issue has long been a source of anger among Eelam Tamil fishing communities, who say they are caught between destructive bottom trawling by Indian vessels and the failures of Sri Lankan authorities to provide adequate protection, compensation or a lasting political solution.

Northern fishermen have repeatedly warned that Indian trawling has damaged the livelihoods of communities across the Tamil homeland, particularly in areas already affected by militarisation, restricted access to the sea and economic hardship after the armed conflict.

Bottom trawling has been especially condemned because of the scale of damage it causes to the seabed, breeding grounds and traditional fishing equipment used by local communities.

Fishermen participating in Wednesday’s protest urged Sri Lankan authorities to take effective action to prevent further incursions and protect local marine resources.

They also called for measures to ensure that northern fishing communities are not left to bear the cost of repeated cross-border trawling, damaged equipment and lost income.

The protest in Kurikadduwan comes amid continuing tensions over fisheries in the Palk Strait, with Tamil fishermen in the North insisting that any solution must centre the voices and livelihoods of the communities directly affected.