[Reader-list] NFF flays report on marine sanctuary

[T Peter]

 Aug 11, 2011 11:13:34 PM |
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram
NFF flays report on marine sanctuary
Special Correspondent
 The National Fishworkers’ Federation (NFF) and Kerala Swathantra
Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) have flayed the report of a study
conducted by Greenpeace on the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Orissa,
terming it as a misrepresentation of facts and an attempt to justify
the infringement on traditional fishing rights.

A press note quoting Matanhy Saldanha, chairperson, NFF and T. Peter,
state president, KSMTF said the report prepared by Greenpeace in
association with the United Artists' Association (UAA), a voluntary
organization working on conservation issues, went against the
interests of the fishing community. It termed the study as an effort
to legitimize a draconian conservation regime.

NFF points out that the fishing communities of the area were not
consulted before declaration of the sanctuary and imposition of
restrictions on fishing. The impact of the restrictions on the
livelihood of fishermen was also not assessed by the authorities, the
federation observes.

Mr. Saldanha said the impact of the ban on fishing had been
disastrous. “Impoverishment and indebtedness has gone up, destitution,
mental derangement and even suicides stalk the fishing and allied
communities. There has been widespread agitation and struggle”, he
added.

The Greenpeace study, he said, claims to have revealed an overwhelming
support from fishermen communities in the region to consider alternate
livelihood options. “However, the report does not mention the fishers’
demand for restoration of their right to fish. Thus it misses the
context – a situation where the fishermen are being forced to opt for
alternate livelihood”.

Citing the claim about a high level of support and recognition of the
role played by the marine sanctuary in the sustenance and management
of fish stocks, Mr. Saldanha wondered how the fishermen could support
a regime that did not allow them to access fish stocks. “In the
absence of unrestricted fishing, how do they know that the stock has
really increased? Are they aware of other less restrictive and
accommodative measures which could enhance the fish stock?”.

The press note said the report had tried to cover up the history of
dislocation and displacement of fishermen that had entailed so much
misery. “Blocking the main livelihood of fishermen for more than a
decade, forcing them to opt for alternative livelihood, and then
having a survey report showing that fishing is not the primary
livelihood for a majority of the people completes the circle to
legitimize continuation of the draconian conservation regime”, it
alleged.

“Mere increase of stock cannot justify a conservation measure; let
alone an unjust, undemocratic and totally top down measure like
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary”.

The press note further added, “This is playing into the hands of the
people who imposed this most undemocratic measure. The fisher people
have no interest or obligation to find out ways and means to make a
draconian regime like Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary popular”.