KOCHI: The Fisheries Department is forced to tackle an unprecedented number of violation of the sea laws, with five months of the year still remaining. As per the details provided by the Fisheries Department, a total of 98 cases were registered from January to June end this year.
P K Sajeevan, DySP Marine Enforcement Wing, a law enforcing agency under the Fisheries Department, claimed the number of cases was very high compared to those reported in the previous years. The majority of the cases were linked with the violation of the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act.
“Usually, not more than 100 cases are reported a year across the state. In contradiction, 98 cases have been reported in the first six months of this year alone,” he said.
According to Marine Enforcement officers, the highest number of cases are registered for carrying out fishing activities using trawlers close to the coast. As per the guidelines, fishing using mechanised boats is not permitted near the coast. Similarly, a high number of cases are registered in connection with catching juvenile fish. Several cases of violation of registration norms of the fishing boats were also reported this year. “Juvenile fishing is posing a big threat to the marine wealth. Since juvenile fish are in demand among fodder production companies, some fishermen engage in this illegal fishing practice for making quick money,” Sajeevan said.
The Marine Enforcement Wing has enhanced enforcement activities to prevent such illegal activities. Now, the department collects intelligence inputs from the fishermen community about such practices. Similarly, the government has decided to enhance the department activities by providing more manpower. During the first month of the trawling ban, as many as six cases were registered for violating trawling ban norms.Earlier this month, the government had banned catching of 44 species of fish in its juvenile stage.