KOCHI:The fishermen organisations remain disgruntled despite assurances by the state government that the fishing ban would not be forced upon. Their apprehensions are born out of a deep and consistent feeling that they are being victimised or targeted to protect the interests of big players.
The discontent over the Coastal Zone Regulation norms remains to be addressed. All eyes are on the expert committee formed by the Central Government to took into the concerns over the regulations. And then came Dr Meenakumari Committee recommendations that stirred up the hornet’s nest.
Though the Union Government clarified that the recommendations of the committee would not be fully endorsed, the fisherfolk remain skeptical. In a reply to V Dinakaran, chairman, Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee,
B Vishnu Bhat, the Fisheries Development Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, informed that foreign vessels will not be allowed for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, one of the major concern of the fishing community.
“This assurance can not be taken into face value,” said T Peter, secretary of National Fishworkers Forum. “The fisheries’ commissioners’ assurance goes against the government order dated Nov.12. If they are against foreign vessels exploiting our resources, then they should first withdraw the order,” he added.
Responsible Fishing
While fighting tooth and nail against the uniform fishing ban, the fishing community is not against restrictions to conserve and protect marine fishery resources.
“I consider this as an opportunity to think loud on taking up conservation measures by ourselves,” says T Peter, the national secretary of National Fish Workers Forum.
“We should take the initiative to implement responsible fishing while fighting the unscientific and undemocratic policies of the government,” he said. The use of purse seine nets should be restricted and trawling using ring seine should be controlled. The fishing community should also bring in restriction to pair trawling and other unscientific methods of fishing. Gil nets (Ozhukkuvala) and hook-and-line fishing should be used in the prime breeding season.