[Reader-list] Fishermen body warns of protest

[T Peter]

Fishermen body warns of protest

Express News ServiceFirst Published : 18 May 2010 04:08:00 AM ISTLast Updated :

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation state
president T Peter and Thiruvananthapuram district secretary Anto Elias
have warned of strong agitation against the Union Government move to
completely ban fishing from June 15 to July 31.

It was reported in a section of the media that such a move is on, they said.

It is the State Government, which is ought to decide the type of
fishing to be allowed in the seas coming under its purview and not the
Central Government, the Federation leaders said.

‘’Until now, it was only a trawling-ban that was implemented during
monsoon. No Government can prevent a fish worker from his means of
livelihood. Besides, this ban has no scientific basis,’’ Peter said.

There is also a move to shift the trawling ban to November-January
period, the Federation alleged.

“The Central Government is opening up our seas for foreign vessels and
at the same time pushing fishermen towards starvation. The Centre
should control foreign fishing vessels,’’ they said.

The traditional fishermen will go to the sea on June 15 and the
Federation will be forced to resist any move to send trawlers to the
sea, the Federation office-bearers said.

Peter and Anto Elias further demanded that Union Ministers A K Antony,
Vayalar Ravi, Mullappally Ramachandran and E Ahamed should clarify
their stand on the issue.