Fencing the Ocean

Dear Friends,

We invite you to an online meeting – “Fencing the Ocean : State Response to Fisher People” on 26th June 2023 from 3 to 5:30pm IST and 11:30 am to 2 pm CET

Last year, on the 26th June 2022, a historic event, the Conference of the Ocean People (C-OP) was organised by World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP) and affiliate groups, with solidarity organisations. It led to one of the first and pioneering global declarations that affirmed the fisher identity as ocean people and the C-OP was held parallel to the UN Oceans Conference.

On June 26th 2023, we are completing the first anniversary of this unique affirmation and WFFP is proud to announce an Asia-pacific discussion on the conflicts in cross-border waters. The attempt is to highlight the issue of arrest and subsequent incarceration of fisherpeople in cross-border waters. Ocean people whose way of life is based on fishing, rarely and inadvertently cross the ‘national boundaries’ of oceans. Fishing being a hunting activity, the fisher also crosses international boundaries chasing the school of fish. However, between many countries, this is criminalised and leads to the arrest and confiscation of fisher boats. Often, it leads to unnecessary and long jail terms and incarceration beyond legally required periods. There have been several occasions when fishermen have died in the jails of the other nation.

Compared to the plight of the fishers, trade, other commercial activities, industrial aquaculture, climate pacts, shipping, blue economy projects, tourism, etc flourish across some of these conflict lines and international water boundaries.

The WFFP is honored to organize the discussion on how the approach of borders in the ocean affects the fisher people- our way of life, livelihood, and customary and legal rights and more.

The event will also launch the documentary movie ‘Boundaries’ which talks about the arrest of the Indian and Pakistani fishermen, the plight of the families and also the politics of water conflicts. The Film is made by New Delhi based Media Collective.

Please save the date and time

The zoom link will be shared shortly.

World Forum of Fisher People
In Collaboration with National Fishworkers Forum & Pakistan India Peoples’ Forum for Peace & Democracy