TRANSBOUNDARY FISHING CONFLICTS IN THE PALK BAY: A LEGAL STUDY ON THE RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF TAMIL NADU FISHERMEN UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW AND INDO-SRI LANKAN AGREEMENTS.

The oceans and coastal waters of the world have long served as vital sources of livelihood, cultural identity, and economic sustenance for coastal communities. In South Asia, the narrow stretch of sea known as the Palk Bay, situated between the southeastern coast of India and the northern coast of Sri Lanka, represents one such region where maritime resources have historically supported generations of fishermen. For centuries, fishing communities from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the northern provinces of Sri Lanka have shared these waters, relying on their rich marine biodiversity for survival and economic stability. However, in recent decades, the Palk Bay has become the centre of persistent transboundary fishing conflicts, raising significant legal, political, and humanitarian concerns.