THE bourgeoning problems of Tamil Nadu fishermen have very few takers in the State and the country. Chennai seems to be far from Nagapattinam,Ramanathapuram, Thuthukudi or Kanyakumari, the hub of fishing activity in the State and New Delhi is almost a distant planet from there. Those in the mandarins of power, instead of solving the problems of the fishermen, are asking them to change their profession, something that is hard for them to accept. Tamil Nadu fishermen's demands have been put up in a 42-point charter, which includes implementation of the Murari Committee recommendations.

Among other things it wants, formulation of proper marine fishing regulations in the exclusive economic zone, a savings-cum-relief scheme for fishermen, subsidised fuel and withdrawal of the Aquaculture Authority Bill by the Centre. The fishing regulations are also one of the contentious issues, which they want to be repealed. As of now, the fishermen are allowed to venture into the sea from 5 am to 9 pm for three days in a week. Bad weather conditions keep them shore-bound for 45 days in a year. This has led them to demand a financial aid, which they say, should be extended to their women folk as well. They had taken these demands to the Prime Minister who had promised them to accord all facilities to both the fishermen and their women folk.

However, when it comes to implementations the approach remains lukewarm.Tamil Nadu fishermen have also been demanding an extension of the fishing time which the State Government had clamped down following conflict between fishermen using mechanised boats and those in traditional country boats and catamarans. Fishermen, using traditional method, demand that mechanised boatmen should not be allowed to fish within three nautical miles of the coast and the ban should be strictly implemented. They complain that use of trawlers or mechanised boats has created havoc in the seabed destroying its flora-fauna and marine life.

The fishermen also have been demanding restoration of their fishing rights in Kachchativu Island. Under 1974 treaty, the island has gone to Sri Lanka but since then remains a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu government quote archival sources to claim that the island had been the propriety of Raja of Ramnad, which the Central Government has unilaterally given to Sri Lanka. State Chief Minister Jayalalitha had even vowed to retrieve the Island back by force if the negotiations fail.

Since time immemorial Tamil Nadu fishermen have been using the Kachatheevu Island for resting and drying nets. The water around the island is known for lobsters and fishermen halt in the island after laying their nets to get back to coast after collecting their catch. The island is also known for religious festivities in which Tamil Nadu fishermen have been involved since antiquity.

On certain days of the year fishermen throng the island with their families to worship at the St Anthony church. The church is revered by the fishermen and a priest from Ramnad goes there to conduct regular mass.

Since 1980s Sri Lankan navy patrol has reportedly started objecting to the Indian fishermen fishing near Kachatheevu Island. The Sri Lankan navy round-up these fishermen and take them for imprisonment. Related to this is the issue of frequent detention of fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy for alleged straying into the Sri Lankan waters. Earlier, the Tamil Nadu fishermen were asked to return but since the ethnic conflict conflagrated in the island, they
became suspect LTTE sympathisers and were shot at. Over hundred fishermen have lost their lives in such shootings by the Sri Lankan Navy. Even though shooting incidents have stopped since the beginning peace talks between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government, there is no respite to the Indian fishermen from detention and torture.

Protesting the atrocities of the Lankan fishermen, a relay demonstration was held in Rameswaram recently where the fishermen charged the Central and state government of adopting a callous attitude. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written several times to Prime Minister Vajpayee seeking his intervention to find a permanent solution to this regular standoff.

Recently, a new dimension has been added into the arrest of the Tamil Nadu fishermen for straying into Sri Lankan waters. They instead of being rounded by Sri Lankan Navy are first being held by the LTTE, who are levying fine and penalties and then handing them over to the Sri Lankan authorities. The fact is that LTTE has intensified its patrolling in the Palk Bay. The fear is if this remains unchecked the Indian government has to approach the LTTE soon for release of its fishermen.

The problem in the Pak Bay is overfishing and pollution that has led to the depletion of the fishes and ruining of its marine life. Fishing by mechanised trawler has further
accentuated the problem. Pearls, which were in plenty in and around the Gulf of Mannar and Thoothukudi city in 1960s, have lost its sheen. The number of oysters over the years has dwindled in this Pearl City and the age-old diving profession is slowly dying a natural death.