Karnataka fishermen seek national fishing policy

Fishermen in Karnataka will hold a convention at Kumta in Uttara Kannada onNovember 19 to press their demands including formulation of a national fishing policy, a senior state fishermen's congress functionary has said.
Talking to reporters here yesterday, statefishermen's congress president U R Sabhapathy said an uniform national fishing policy was urgentlyrequired to avoid the existing disparities in policies adoptedby different states.
Thecommunity members should also have adequate representation inelected fisheries bodies, he added.
At present, each state had its own fisheries policywhich often resulted in friction among fishing communitiesbecause rules were different in states, he said.
Sabhapathy also wanted the Centre to consider the possibility of setting up an exclusive cabinet post for fisheries in the Union cabinet.

The fishing industry was beingneglected as it was now functioning under the AgricultureMinistry, he said.

The long-pending demand to include all fishing communities under scheduled caste category would be pushedforward, he said.
He said the November 19 convention was to coincide with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary.
Anotherconvention of Congress workers would be held the same dayat Chikkamagalur, he said, adding, Congress vice-presidentRahul Gandhi was expected to take part in both the meets.
The Fishermen's Congress would form block level committees in ten districts in the state, he said.