News analysis
Deaths reveal marine crisis in India-Sri Lanka waters
Recurring diplomatic tussles overshadow grave threat to environment from overfishing
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Fishermen from Pudukkottai on a trawler heading to the Palk Strait, where they frequently cross into Sri Lankan waters to get a better catch. Off the southern coast of India, the catch has fallen because of overfishing by trawlers. Sri Lanka has suggested having joint patrols to end poaching.
ST PHOTO: ROHINI MOHAN
Rohini Mohan India Correspondent In Bangalore, Rohini Mohan
The recent deaths of four fishermen from Tamil Nadu - one of them a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee living in India - have revealed a marine crisis that has been masquerading as a diplomatic issue for years.
The four men set out to fish at sea from Kottaipattinam in Pudukkottai district on Jan 18.