Appeal to get ban on Sri Lanka dry fish imports from India lifted

Fishermen in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu have appealed to the federal government to immediately hold talks with the Sri Lankan authorities and help lift the ban imposed on dry fish exports from India to the island, The Hindu reported.

Nearly 15,000 metric tons of dry fish valued at 500 crore rupees was lying in warehouses since November 2020, said the report.

AITUC fishermen association state president S. Muruganandam told The Hindu that the Sri Lankan government had banned import of dry fish from India since November 2020.

The fishermen in coastal districts in Tamil Nadu, who ventured into the sea, procured superior quality fish, meant exclusively for exports.

Almost 20 to 25 percent of the produce was bought by the exporters, who processed and exported them as dry fish to Sri Lanka and other countries.

Among the dry fish, “maasi,” “katta” and “nethili” among others were the most sought varieties in Sri Lanka, which the importers ordered regularly with the export firms in South India.

However, the island nation’s ban had crippled the exports since November last year and the goods were lying in Thoothukudi, he said.

Though no reasons were assigned by officials for the ban, Muruganandam claimed that dry fish was exported by Pakistan and Maldives to Sri Lanka.

Before November 2020, the Sri Lankan government imposed additional taxes on the imports of dry fish from India and subsequently they banned it.

“It is almost 100 days now and our goods are lying in the warehouses in Thoothukudi,” he added.