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Defying the Centre’s 61-day uniform fishing ban that came into effect from midnight of Sunday, the Kerala government today decided to stick to the earlier rule and allowed its fishermen to continue operating till June 15.
State fisheries minister K Babu said Kerala would observe 47-day trawling ban as in previous years from June 14 to July 31. It had protested against the Centre’s decision as it would affect the livelihood of its fisherfolk along the 450-km coastal belt of the state.
Meanwhile, at Kollam Coast Guard officials warned seven fishing vessels that crossed the 12-nautical mile limit today and turned them back to the Neendakara fishing harbour. Officials told reporters that no boats would be allowed to cross the limit during the ban period.
Reacting to this, Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal, general secretary — All Kerala Boat Owners Association, said, “It is not practical to limit our work at 12 nautical mile distance. It is unscientific and impractical.”
Though only a few fishing boats from Munambam, Mattanchery and Vypin fish landing centres sailed to the sea today, according to reports 400 boats in Ernakulam district have planned to defy the the ban on Tuesday. Boat owners of Beypore, Puthiyappa area in northern Kerala have also decided to join.
Though the state had sought some relaxation in the ban order, the Centre denied this stating this should be observed on a national level in all maritime states along the western side. As a special case, the Centre, however, has allowed only traditional fishermen of Kerala to sail into the sea and that too up to a distance of 12 nautical miles. The Centre had issued a notification in April this year imposing uniform fishing ban for 61 days in the Exclusive Economic Zone from June 1 to July 31.
Anwar Hashim, exporter and former president of Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), said the industry was likely to lose the catch of a peculiar type of small prawns (Karikkadi) during this period.
Strict action against violation : Coast Guard
The Coast Guard today stated strict action would be taken against those boats that violate the order of the central government. The patrol party of the Coast Guard will position at 10 nautical mile distance and give warning to fishing boats. They will not allow any boat to cross the limit.
However, minister Babu has requested the Coast Guard not to take strict action against the boat workers as this may create untoward incidents in the Arabian Sea.
Meanwhile, the fisheries minister has convened a meeting of boat owners and workers on Tuesday to discuss means to avoid law and order issues.
State fisheries minister K Babu said Kerala would observe 47-day trawling ban as in previous years from June 14 to July 31. It had protested against the Centre’s decision as it would affect the livelihood of its fisherfolk along the 450-km coastal belt of the state.
Meanwhile, at Kollam Coast Guard officials warned seven fishing vessels that crossed the 12-nautical mile limit today and turned them back to the Neendakara fishing harbour. Officials told reporters that no boats would be allowed to cross the limit during the ban period.
Reacting to this, Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal, general secretary — All Kerala Boat Owners Association, said, “It is not practical to limit our work at 12 nautical mile distance. It is unscientific and impractical.”
Though only a few fishing boats from Munambam, Mattanchery and Vypin fish landing centres sailed to the sea today, according to reports 400 boats in Ernakulam district have planned to defy the the ban on Tuesday. Boat owners of Beypore, Puthiyappa area in northern Kerala have also decided to join.
Though the state had sought some relaxation in the ban order, the Centre denied this stating this should be observed on a national level in all maritime states along the western side. As a special case, the Centre, however, has allowed only traditional fishermen of Kerala to sail into the sea and that too up to a distance of 12 nautical miles. The Centre had issued a notification in April this year imposing uniform fishing ban for 61 days in the Exclusive Economic Zone from June 1 to July 31.
Anwar Hashim, exporter and former president of Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), said the industry was likely to lose the catch of a peculiar type of small prawns (Karikkadi) during this period.
Strict action against violation : Coast Guard
The Coast Guard today stated strict action would be taken against those boats that violate the order of the central government. The patrol party of the Coast Guard will position at 10 nautical mile distance and give warning to fishing boats. They will not allow any boat to cross the limit.
However, minister Babu has requested the Coast Guard not to take strict action against the boat workers as this may create untoward incidents in the Arabian Sea.
Meanwhile, the fisheries minister has convened a meeting of boat owners and workers on Tuesday to discuss means to avoid law and order issues.
