India satisfied with "progress on release" of apprehended fishermen by Sri Lanka

New Delhi, Oct 14: The Government of India on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the Sri Lankan authorities for "progress on release" of apprehended fishermen and detained fishing vessels in the recent past and urged that remaining Indian fishing vessels in Sri Lankan custody should also be released. This was conveyed by Indian Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh in the Ministerial level talks on Fishermen’s issues with the Minister for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka Mahinda Amaraweera here on Friday. According to a joint press communique here, the co-Chairs of the Joint Working Group briefed the outcome of the issues discussed during the 3rd JWG meeting for consideration of the Ministers and for further directions. "The Ministers agreed that a permanent solution to the fishermen issues should be found at the earliest," the statement said. Recent initiatives taken by the Government of India to end bottom trawling in the Palk Bay area were shared with the Sri Lankan side, it said adding these include launching of a programme on diversification of bottom trawlers into Deep Sea Fishing Vessels for tuna long lining under Blue Revolution Scheme, construction of Mookaiyur and Poompuhar fishing harbours, capacity building programmes for fishermen of Palk Bay area in deep sea tuna long lining. Besides, fresh registration for bottom trawlers in the Palk Bay area has been banned by the Government of Tamil Nadu, it was informed. Acknowledging the efforts taken by India to end bottom trawling, the Sri Lankan side informed about the measures taken by the government in Sri Lanka in order to prevent illegal fishing, the statement said. UNI