[Reader-list] Fwd: Fishermen’s forum takes out a sea journey from Kochi to capital city

[T Peter]

Fishermen’s forum takes out a sea journey from Kochi to capital city

 http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/a-v
oyage-to-protect-fishing-rights/article4685637.ece

In the wake of various sea-oriented development projects announced by
the government, fishermen have joined hands to protect the fishing
rights which they have traditionally enjoyed. For the purpose,
vice-president of the National Fishworkers’ Forum T. Peter has
undertaken a ‘voyage’ through sea from Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram.

The journey which commenced on May 2 reached Kollam on Saturday to a
rousing reception at the Shakthikulangara-Neendakara twin fishing
harbours for the mechanised sector and at the Tangasseri fishing
harbour of the traditional sector. Mr. Peter told The Hindu that the
voyage was for spreading awareness on the negative impact of
development projects on the fishing sector.

Hundreds of fishermen gathered at the venues to receive the
participants and listen to them. Secretary of the Kollam District Boat
Operators Association (KDBOA) Peter Mathias said the fishing sector
was not against development projects. But such projects should not end
up curtailing the rights enjoyed by the sector.

Mr. Peter said the fishing community demanded that the government drop
the seaplane project. “This project poses a threat to our life and
livelihood. It will lead to heavy restrictions on fishing. The
terminals earmarked for the project have heavy fishermen activity.”

Mr. Mathias said that even the coastal shipping project was feared to
harm the fishing sector. The organisations of fishermen were not
consulted about the project. The fishermen feared that the operation
area of the coastal shipping programme would encroach into their
traditional area of activity. Fishermen could be evicted to facilitate
the project.

However, if the issue was discussed with them, the fishworkers would
consider these aspects, he said. President of the Kerala Matsya
Thozhilalai Federation T.P. John took part in the voyage. The
reception meeting at Shakthikulagara was addressed by KDBOA leaders
Charley Joseph and Neythil Vincent.

The voyage will reach Anchuthengu at 1 p.m. on May 5 and culminate at
Shanghumughom beach, Thiruvananthapuram, at 5 p.m. that day for a
public meeting to be addressed by A. Sampath, MP, and Palode Ravi,
MLA.