[Reader-list] Fish workers oppose use of Chinese engines

[T Peter]

Fish workers oppose use of Chinese engines
http://www.thehindu.com/2010/11/28/stories/2010112854700700.htm
Special Correspondent
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation
(KSMTF) has said the import of powerful Chinese inboard engines for
sea going vessels will lead to unsustainable exploitation of fish
stocks.

A press release quoting KSMTF State president T. Peter and secretary
Anto Elias said the arrival of about 500 Chinese engines had led to a
crisis in the fisheries sector, threatening to affect the livelihood
of fish workers.

“There are over 5,000 trawlers, 13,000 fishing boats fitted with
outboard engines and 500 with inboard engines, in addition to 7,000
catamarans and 5,000 other types of fishing vessels operating from
Kerala. It is estimated that the existing fleet itself is responsible
for over exploitation of fish stocks. The import of Chinese inboard
engines capable of generating 240 to 440 horsepower will worsen the
situation,” they said.

The federation said the engines were capable of trawling the sea from
the bottom to the surface, at a speed of 2.5 to 4.5 nautical miles,
while other boats trawl the bottom at a speed of less than 2.5
nautical miles. The high powered engines, it said, would enable the
vessels to carry out mid-water trawling and pelagic (surface) trawling
as well. The leaders said such saturation trawling would have
disastrous consequences for traditional fish workers.

The federation urged the Centre and State governments for strict
regulations on the operation of boats equipped with imported high
powered Chinese engines.