• Some harbours reportedly 90% occupied by detained vessels
• Around 60–70 Indian boats seized annually and held until legal proceedings conclude
• Local fishermen urge Govt to halt further detentions as harbour space runs short

Fishing harbours in the North are running out of space to accommodate Indian fishing boats seized for illegally entering Sri Lankan waters, with some harbours reportedly 90% occupied by detained vessels, making further arrests increasingly difficult.

The shortage of space has become so acute that some local fishermen have asked the Government to refrain from detaining more Indian boats, as the seized vessels are occupying space needed for their own fishing activities, The Daily Morning learnt.

The size and weight of the Indian vessels also pose a challenge, as lifting them out of the water using cranes and moving them ashore without causing damage is difficult.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ministry Secretary Dr Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa said that around 60–70 Indian fishing boats were detained annually, but keeping them in fisheries harbours until the conclusion of legal proceedings had become a major challenge.

“These boats have to be kept in fisheries harbours until the legal procedures are completed. Since these are large vessels, lifting them out of the water and dragging them onto land is also difficult. At the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour alone, there are around 130–150 boats, and some fishermen have even requested us not to make further arrests as their space is being occupied by the detained boats,” he said.

He said the issue of Indian fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters required approaches beyond arrests at sea, as it was practically impossible for any Government to intercept every vessel crossing into its waters.

However, he noted that the number of boats coming from India had declined to some extent. Under a scheme implemented by the Indian Central Government, fishermen were being encouraged to diversify their fishing activities rather than depend solely on trawling, he said.

“We are continuously holding discussions with the Indian Central Government to seek solutions,” he added.

Northern fishermen have repeatedly raised concerns over Indian fishing vessels entering Sri Lankan waters, arguing that the practice not only depletes local marine resources but also damages their fishing grounds and equipment.