[Reader-list] Fishermen seek action on Marine Enforcement

[T Peter]

Fishermen seek action on Marine Enforcement
Express News ServiceFirst Published : 28 Aug 2010
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation
(KSMTF) is up in arms against the Marine Enforcement for turning a
mute witness to the offshore trawling in the coastal areas of the
district.

Violating all rules, trawler boats are snatching away the squid
habitation in many areas, they said.
In a statement here, KSMTF president T Peter and secretary Anto Elias
said that the fishermen have been receiving squids in the coastal
areas of Vizhinjam, Poonthura, Valiathura and Veli.
However, lately, trawling boats from Tamil Nadu and Neendakara have
been engaging in offshore trawling here, probably to get hands on
these squid habitations, the leaders said.
According to the organisation’s leaders, there is a ban on the entry
of trawling boats within 10 km of the shore. Also, as per the Dr
Kalavar Committee recommendations, trawling has been banned in the sea
off the district. All these norms have been thrown to thin air, the
leaders alleged.
The trawling boats are tearing the fishing nets thrown by the
fishermen at night. If the coastal guards or the Marine Enforcement do
not come to their rescue, the fishermen will be forced to confiscate
the trawling boats by themselves, the leaders warned.
''Earlier, when sand mining had become a major problem in the coastal
areas, we had organised a night vigil to combat it. If this trawling
issue persists, we would once again organise a mass protest,'' said
Peter. The leaders said that the government must take immediate action
in this issue