A day after 136 fishermen, held captive and released by Sri Lanka, arrived here on Indian shores, fisherfolk from Karaikal and Nagapattinam met here on Sunday to evolve a possible rapprochement to the question of recurrent attacks on fisherfolks.
Four resolutions were passed and accepted here by all fishing habitations of Nagapattinam and Karaikal. Accordingly, fisherfolk shall henceforth not cross the International Maritime Boundary Line and any wanton breach of this would invite penalty.
If proof of breach was established, fisherfolk concerned would be forbidden from venturing into the sea for not less than a month. Further, the catch secured by transgressing the IMBL would be confiscated by the fishing habitation. The fisherfolk also sought diesel subsidy from the government, which deter them from crossing over, in the event of a poor catch, only to salvage the diesel expenditure.
Modernised fishing nets would be of advantage for the fisherfolk and the government should facilitate modernised occupational inputs.
Lastly, the fishing habitations have unanimously sought a possible arrangement for joint fishing on contractual basis by the fisherfolk from across the two boundaries in order to eliminate hostility.
