[Reader-list] Move to extend trawl ban kicks up a storm

[T Peter]

Move to extend trawl ban kicks up a storm
<http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/T.-Nandakumar-576/>T. Nandakumar
<http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/T.-Nandakumar-576/>
T

   http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-
   kerala/Move-to-extend-trawl-ban-kicks-up-a-storm/article16909266.ece
   <http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Move-to-extend-trawl-ban-kicks-up-a-storm/article16909266.ece>

Fishers say current period based on study

A government move to stretch the annual trawling ban period in Kerala to 60
days in two phases has evoked stiff protest from traditional fishermen and
boat operators who fear that it would have serious livelihood consequences
without any plausible impact on marine resources. The proposal to extend
the ban period to 60 days in two phases - July 16 to August 15 and October
16 to November 15 - is one of the major recommendations in the proposed
amendments to the Kerala Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (KMFRA).

The State currently follows a 47-day monsoon trawl ban from June 15 to July
31, during which mechanised trawlers suspend operations in the 12 nautical
mile region. The seasonal fishing holiday was introduced in 1988 to give
commercially important fish species a respite during their spawning season
and facilitate replenishment of stocks. However, the ban is not applicable
to traditional fishermen operating motorised country boats Last year, the
State government had put up stiff resistance to a proposal mooted by the
Centre for a 61-day ban on all fishing vessels in the Indian Exclusive
Economic Zone from 12 to 200 nautical miles. The proposed ban from June 1
to July 31 had been prescribed for conservation and effective management of
fishery resources.

The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) and Kerala Swathantra Matsya
Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) representing artisanal fishers have vowed to
oppose any move to change the trawl ban period.

‘Makes no sense’

NFF secretary T. Peter said the 47-day ban followed in Kerala was based on
sound scientific evidence of the spawning season of various marine species
during the southwest monsoon period. “It makes no sense to extend the ban
beyond the spawning season,” says Mr.Peter.

The All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association, however, feels that the
State government move to extend the ban would cripple the mechanised
fisheries sector.“Along with the 61-day ban imposed by the Centre in the
EEZ from June 1 to July 31, it would amount to a 106-day fishing holiday
for mechanised vessels,” says association president Peter Mathias.“Apart
from fishermen, workers at fishing harbours, auction centres, peeling
units, ice plants, headload workers, seafood agents, vendors and exporters
stand to lose their earnings for three-and-a-half months every year,” he
said.Pointing out that Kerala was the only one among the nine maritime
States to permit the use of ring seine nets during the trawl ban,
Mr.Mathias called on the government to address the issue.

The stakeholder communities have urged the government for detailed
consultations on the proposed amendments to the KMFRA.