NFF GS Olencio Simoes Attends International Workshop on Small-Scale Fisheries in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka: National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) General Secretary Olencio Simoes participated in a three-day international workshop on strengthening collaboration and capacity-building in small-scale fisheries at Minuwangoda, Colombo. The event was organized by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) and the Forum for Small-Scale Fisheries (FSSF) and brought together leaders from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.

The workshop focused on promoting and defending equitable, gender-inclusive, self-reliant, and sustainable small-scale fisheries worldwide. A key issue discussed was the transboundary conflicts in Palk Bay, which was highlighted during a panel discussion featuring:
Annalingam Annarasa, President, Federation of Jaffna District Fisheries Cooperatives Union, Sri Lanka
Pradip Chatterjee, National Convenor, National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers, India
Meera Srinivasan, Correspondent, The Hindu, Sri Lanka
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar, Senior Lecturer, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Call for Bilateral Dialogue and Stakeholder Involvement

During the discussions, Simoes urged the Indian government to reactivate bilateral talks with Sri Lanka and ensure that local stakeholders are included in the Joint Working Group (JWG). He raised concerns over the increasing number of Indian fishers and boats being apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2024. According to reports, over 530 boats were seized last year, and since January 2025, 119 fishers and 16 boats have already been detained.

Demand to Ban Destructive Fishing Practices

NFF has called on the Central Government of India to ban destructive fishing gears such as:
❌ Bottom trawling
❌ Pair and bull trawling
❌ LED light fishing

Simoes emphasized that such methods are depleting marine resources and are detrimental to the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. He demanded stronger legislation to impound vessels using these harmful techniques.

Implementation of FAO Voluntary Guidelines

The NFF leader also urged the Indian government to implement the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, to which India is a signatory. He stressed that these guidelines would help:

Protect the livelihoods of millions of fishers
Ensure food security by maintaining fish stocks
Address India’s low ranking (105th out of 127 countries) in the Global Hunger Index

Simoes reiterated that small-scale fisheries play a crucial role in providing affordable nutrition to millions, especially in a country where food security remains a challenge.

newsbabaonline.com