The Fisheries Department is on a drive to remove the stake nets and Chinese nets from the national waterways in the state to protect the fish wealth in the state and also to give a fillip to inland waterway transportation.
The Department has also imposed strict penalties against pelagic fishing or pair trawling along the state coastline that is causing threat to the marine wealth.
The drive against the stake nets is carried out in the national waterways that passes through Ernakulam, Kottayam and Kollam.
Fisheries Additional Director Saira Banu K A said that the curb against the stake nets was launched in the national waterways after giving adequate compensation to the owners.
“As per the government order, a licensed stake net is being seized after giving a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh. For those without the licence, the compensation has been fixed at Rs 1.5 lakh,” she said.
A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Fisheries Minister K Babu a couple of days ago had decided to clear the stake nets and Chinese nets from the inland waterways after giving adequate compensation to the fish workers.
The government has already allotted Rs 10.46 crore for providing compensation to the fish workers.
Fisheries Director Mini Antony said that strict measures were in place to curb the pair trawling taking place along the coastline.
“We have put in place strict measures and imposed penalties. The Marine Enforcement Wing is carrying out patrolling. We have also allotted additional patrolling boats to catch those involved in pair trawling,” she said.
In pelagic fishing, commonly known as pair trawling, two boats are used to catch fish. In this way, the mouth of the net is wide open and fish in a vast area are caged in the net and killed.
Mini Antony said that a fine of Rs 25,000 will be slapped on those found involving in pair trawling.
“The Marine Enforcement Wing is sending daily reports to the Department regarding patrolling and it is taking place in full swing,” she added.