47-day-long annual monsoon trawling ban lifted in Kerala

The monsoon trawling ban was intended to enhance the marine fish stocks and improve their habitat

The 47-day-long annual monsoon trawling ban was lifted midnight last night in Kerala.

Hundreds of fishing boats ventured into the Arabian Sea, anticipating a big catch.

Fishermen across the state are getting set to cast their nets, hopefully for a big catch as their boats set sail for the sea after a long trawling holiday.

Around 3,000 boats are operating in Kerala. Of these, 1200 are from outside the state.

The Coast Guard and other enforcement agencies coordinated the work to ensure fool proof protection to the traditional fishermen, who were allowed fishing during the ban period.

The Ports Department officials said a uniform colour code has been made mandatory for fishing boats as part of the coastal protection initiatives.

The ban on bottom trawling is intended to enhance marine fish stocks and improve their habitat.

The monsoon trawling ban that started in Kerala in 1988 was extended to 47 days in 1994.