[Reader-list] NFF slams deep sea policy

[T Peter]

*NFF slams deep sea policy*

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/nff-slams-deep-sea-policy/article6870226.ece

SPECIAL CORRESPONDEN

The National Fishworkers' Forum has opposed the Centre's move to grant
permits to deep sea fishing vessels, which would potentially facilitate
entry of foreign operators at the cost of the livelihood of the native
fisherfolk. Taking an exception to the move, NFF leaders M. Ilango,
Narendra Patil and T. Peter said the Ministry of Agriculture's (MOA) public
notice calling for 270 more deep sea fishing vessels to be provided with
letter of permit (LOP) in Indian seas to engage in operations 12 nautical
miles off shore seemed to be an "arbitrary decision of the MOA violating
the suggestions made by Dr. Meenakumari Committee."

*Agitations*

Demanding withdrawal of the LOP for new vessels, the NFF said it would
otherwise be forced to go on a nationwide protest, fishing bandh and
demonstration in New Delhi during the Budget session.The Ministry's notice
of November 28 invited companies and Indian entrepreneurs to apply for
permission to fish in the EEZ that is beyond the territorial waters
extending to 12 nautical miles. According to the NFF, this would open up
doors to even foreign vessels under joint venture with 51 per cent equity
of the Indian company, where even a vessel acquired against deferred
payment would be considered as a fully paid one.The NFF pointed out that
apart from the fact that a company could get an LOP for up to four such
vessels, the Ministry notice also sanctioned pelagic / midwater trawling.

*Variance with recommendations*

Though the Ministry's decision was supposed to be based on the report of
Dr. Meenakumari committee, which was constituted to review the deep sea
fishing policy, certain provisions, as put forward in the government
notice, were at variance with the recommendations, Mr. Ilango said. The
committee claims that there is a potential to catch fish in sea with a
depth of 500 m and above and so suggests providing permission for 270 new
vessels. The committee also proposes having foreign fishermen until the
Indian institutions can train the Indian fishermen to operate and fish in
such vessels. However, while the Meenakumari committee prescribes fishing
in depths beyond 500 m, the public notice of MOA mentions the fishing
ground as sea beyond 12 nautical miles, the NFF contended.Moreover, in many
 places the depth of the sea need not be above 500 m.

"While we question the grounds of information about the fish resource
available at such depth, the committee itself says that the depth below 200
m is heavily exploited and the fishers are already moving into depth of 200
to 500 m," Mr. Ilango said.

*Detrimental to traditional fishermen*

The NFF stated that it had repeatedly mentioned that the idea of opening up
Indian seas is dangerous and detrimental to the fishing of Indian
traditional fishers, as the fish resource is heavily depleted due to the
non-ecological fishing done by these vessels. Hence further opening up the
sea for more vessels to fish will only be construed as part of the "global
ocean grabbing conspiracy", the NFF said. It urged the Union government to
seriously consider the recommendations of the Murari Committee and not
extend the LOP to the existing deep sea fishing vessels, and encourage
Indian fishermen with less than 20 m sized boats to fish in depths beyond
200 m by providing them LOP, financial support and technical expertise.