A 47-day trawling ban, the annual exercise aimed at conserving marine resources, will be in place in the state from June 14 midnight to July 31, Fisheries Minister K Babu said on Thursday.
The breeding season of majority of the fish varieties coincide with the south-west monsoon season in Kerala which begins in June. So it is essential that trawling is stopped during this period as it destroys fish eggs and young fish. Additionally, trawling ban is also necessary to ensure the safety of fishermen as the seas turn rough during the monsoon months.
The trawling ban was first introduced in the state 24 years ago. Since the Kerala Monsoon Fishery (Pelagic) Protection Bill was passed by Kerala in 2007, the ban does not affect the traditional fisherfolk.
The trawling ban in Kerala will also coincide with a Central ban on deepsea fishing off the western coast, Babu said.
From May 15 onward, 24-hour control rooms will be opened in all coastal districts. District-level officers have been instructed to take on lease private vessels for conducting rescue operations, Babu said.