KOCHI: Unlike previous years, the 47-day trawling ban did not witness any case of violation in the coastal area of Ernakulam district this year. Officials in the Marine Enforcement Wing and Fisheries Department say that strict enforcement and successful coordination with fishermen prevented illegal activities during the trawling ban period.
According to Paramashwaran T P, assistant director of Fisheries Department, officials of the Marine Enforcement Wing conducted active patrolling the entire 47 days. “Every year some cases are reported about the flouting of trawling ban in Ernakulam district. But this year no cases were reported. Our three units were conducting day and night patrolling upto a distance of 12 nautical miles. Besides, good relations with the fishermen discourages them from going out for trawling during the ban period,” he said.
“We had rescue cases due to high seas, heavy rains and engine failure of boats. But the number of casualties were very low,” Paramashwaran said.The Marine Enforcement Department had deployed three heavy engine boats and a dinghy this year to carry out patrolling and rescue operations. Ten officials from Marine Enforcement Wing, 12 sea guards, 10 policemen and 10 boat operators were trained and deployed to conduct rescue operations during the trawling ban at Kochi coast. The units also coordinated with other agencies.