[Reader-list] Fishworkers: allow deep sea fishing

[T Peter]

*Fishworkers: allow deep sea fishing *
*Date:21/11/2009* *URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/21/stories/2009112160050300.htm*
Special Correspondent

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Union will observe

Deep Sea Fishing

Day today.
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 Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation
(KSMTF) will observe the World Fishworkers’ Day on November 21 as Deep Sea
Fishing Day.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, State president of the
Federation T. Peter and secretary Anto Elias said the proposed Marine
Fishing Regulation Bill to be presented in Parliament would be an
infringement of the livelihood rights of traditional fishermen.

“The new Bill makes it mandatory for fishworkers to secure a permit from the
Union government to venture out beyond the territorial waters at a distance
of 12 nautical miles from the coast. The Bill says the Coast Guard will have
the authority to apprehend any vessel that crosses this line and arrest the
occupants who can be sentenced to three years imprisonment or Rs.9 lakh as
fine.”
‘Draconian law’

 Terming the provisions draconian, they said depletion of fish stocks in the
near shore areas was forcing fishermen out to the deep sea.

“In fact, the Murari Commission appointed by the Government to study the
problems of fish workers had recommended that traditional fishermen be
equipped for deep sea fishing. The proposed Fishing Regulation Bill ignores
the fact that fish workers travel more than 100 nautical miles from the
coast daily to get enough catch. It is an encroachment on our right to fish
anywhere in the Exclusive Economic Zone upto 200 nautical miles. The
government has also ignored our contribution to coastal security.”

On November 21, the federation will organise seminars and discussions
throughout the State to focus attention on the emerging threat to the
livelihood of fish workers.

Mr. Peter also added that it was ironic that fish workers who are the among
the most affected by global warming and climate change, did not figure in
the discussions to mitigate the effects.