KOCHI: The expert committee appointed by the government to study the consequences of the trawling ban on Kerala waters submitted its report to Fisheries Minister K Babu on Saturday. The draft was prepared by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Twelve prominent recommendations and 66 suggestions have been submitted by the 12-member committee in the draft report. The minister has said that the government will not accept the committee’s primary recommendation to extend the trawling ban from 47 days to 60 days. The committee had also suggested that the ban should be imposed in two phases.
The minister added that a detailed discussion will be held on the recommendations made by the committee. Those suggestions which will be accepted unanimously will be implemented. Also, the trawling ban period will be decided based on a consensus. It has been currently decided that 47 days of trawling ban will be imposed this year also, though the committee has suggested to impose a 30-day ban during June-July and another 30-day ban in October-November.The minister said that strict checks will be conducted in the Kerala waters to ensure that no mechanised fishing takes place during the trawling ban.
Since surface water fish varieties reproduce mainly during April-May, trawling ban should be imposed during this time, the committee suggested. It has also recommended provision of adequate financial aid to fishermen during the period and also provision of fuel subsidy to fishing units.
There are also suggestions to examine the procedures for granting licences to mechanised boats.The Central Government should cancel licences of foreign fishing vessels and provide free training to drivers as well as fishermen.
For mechanised boats which are more than 15 metres wide, toilet and sleeping facilities should be provided, the committee suggested.