[Reader-list] Consult Stakeholders Before Releasing Fisheries Policy: K Babu

[T Peter]

Consult Stakeholders Before Releasing Fisheries Policy: K Babu
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Consult-Stakeholders-Before-Releasing-Fisheries-Policy-K-Babu/2016/02/19/article3284716.ece

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fishermen’s unions demanded the state to put
pressure on the Central government not to speed up the release of the new
marine fisheries policy without consulting the stakeholders. They raised
their suggestion at a meeting convened by Minister for Fisheries K Babu in
Thiruvananthapuram.

He had asked the representatives to submit a detailed memorandum for taking
up the issue with the Centre. A meeting of the unions will be held on
February 24. A seven-member expert committee, headed by Director General of
Indian Council for Agricultural Research S Ayyappan, has been constituted
by the Central government to revise the existing policy of 2004.

The state government had told a committee, appointed by the Centre to draft
the policy, that it would consult the stakeholders in the state before
submitting its view. The Central government plans to release the policy by
March-end.

“We wanted the state government to inform the Centre about extending the
dates. There needs a wider discussion on some of the provisions in the
draft,” said T Peter, secretary, National Fish Workers Federation (NFF).
The meeting was attended by stakeholders such as NFF, Swatantra
Matsyathozhilali Federation, CITU, Boat Operators Association, Matsya
Congress and STU. Representatives of unions said committee prepared the
draft sans meaningful consultation with them. There are many provisions
that require clarity, such as the provision on stopping permit for foreign
vessels, said Peter.

According to Peter, what fishermen needed was a comprehensive policy on
fisheries rather than a marine policy. NFF will hold a Parliament march on
March 10 demanding a fisherman-friendly policy.