KOCHI: As the 45-day trawling ban comes to an end, the Department of Fisheries has issued an ultimatum to the fishing boat owners to change the colour of the boats as per the Government of India prescribed colour code for fishing boats. The direction is to change the colour before July 31, failing which permission will not be granted to operate the boats.
As per the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the hull of the boats should be painted dark blue while the wheelhouse should be painted orange. Director of Fisheries has asked the officers not to renew the licence or registration of fishing boats which do not follow the guidelines.