THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The annual trawling ban in state will be in force from June 15 to July 31, a statement issued by Fisheries Minister K Babu’s office said. As in past years, traditional fishermen will be allowed to fish within the territorial jurisdiction of up to 12 nautical miles during this period, the statement said. However, the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation and the National Fish Workers’ Forum (NFF) have said that traditional fishermen would venture out into the deep sea in mechanised fishing boats to fish.
The controversial 61-day uniform fishing ban announced by the Centre will be in effect from June 1 to July 31. At a joint meeting held here, the organisations have demanded the Centre to scrap the orders regarding the 61-day ban issued on November 12 and 28, 2014, and April 10 and include mechanised boats in the list of traditional fishing boats.
Further, the organisations also demanded the government to ensure that traditional and small-scale fishermen in the country are given the right to fish unhindered upto 200 nautical miles.
The NoC given to foreign vessels to fish upto the 12-nautical mile mark should be cancelled.
Federation president P P John presided over the function.
NFF national secretary T Peter, federation general secretary Jackson Pollayil, among others, spoke.