'Uniform fishing ban not applicable within territorial waters'

The union government today told the Kerala High Court that the uniform fishing ban imposed by it is not applicable within the territorial waters but in the India Exclusive Economic Zone which is beyond 12 nautical miles.
The stand of the union government was conveyed when the High Court considered a writ petition filed by Cochin Traditional Fishermen's Association challenging fishing ban every year during fish breeding season in the monsoon period.
According to the central government, the ban is imposed to safeguard the livelihood interest of fishermen.
The government also informed the High Court that foreign fishing vessels are not allowed to fish in Indian waters, including EEZ, irrespective of the ban order.