[Reader-list] Concern over fisheries rule

[T Peter]

http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/06/stories/2009100657610200.htm

*Concern over fisheries rule *Special Correspondent
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Licence needed to fish 22 km from coast

‘An excuse for privatisation of waters’
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Thiruvananthapuram: Speakers at a seminar organised by the Kerala Swathantra
Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) here on Monday expressed concern that
the proposed Central Marine Fisheries Regulation would affect the livelihood
of the coastal communities.

Inaugurating the seminar, KSMTF president T. Peter said the Indo-ASEAN Free
Trade Agreement would facilitate the import of several species of fish at
cheaper rates, depriving local fish workers of their income and livelihood.
Warning

He warned that any move to impose restrictions on the rights of fish workers
would be met with stiff resistance.

Ravindran Nair, former Joint Director, Kerala Fisheries, termed the Central
Marine Fisheries Regulation as an excuse for privatisation of the waters. He
pointed out that the new regulation would make it mandatory for a fisherman
to possess a licence to fish 22 km away from the coast. “With fish resources
moving away from the coast, fishermen have to move further into the open
waters to fish, and such a restriction would directly affect their
livelihood,” he said.
‘Denial of rights’

S.P. Uday Kumar, a noted anti-nuclear activist, observed that the current
paradigm of development in the context of a global climate crisis did not
cater to the needs of the people. It only took away their right to life.

Dr. Kumar said nuclear power was not the solution to the world’s energy
crisis. “The mining and milling of uranium, construction of nuclear power
plants such as the one at Koodamkulam, the enormous amount of cement and
steel needed for their construction and waste management – all directly
affect the coastal communities.”

KSMTF leaders Valerian Isaac and Anto Elias spoke. Representatives of the
fishing community and the coastal regions attended the seminar.