[Reader-list] Doubts abound over move to regulate juvenile fishing

[T Peter]

*Doubts abound over move to regulate juvenile fishing*

T. Nandakumar <http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/T.-Nandakumar-576/>

UPDATED: AUGUST 14, 2017 04:52
IST*http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/doubts-abound-over-move-to-regulate-juvenile-fishing/article19488980.ecePointless
<http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/doubts-abound-over-move-to-regulate-juvenile-fishing/article19488980.ecePointless>
if other coastal States are not included, say fishers*
Pointless if other coastal States are not included, say fishers

The government move to amend the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act for
conservation of marine fish resources has invited scepticism from fishers
and boat operators who feel that the legislation would fail to achieve its
objective unless other coastal States were brought on board.

The Bill that was referred to the subject committee of the Assembly last
week seeks to bring boat building yards and fishing net manufacturing units
and dealers under a system of regulation. It also envisages a three-tier
system of councils for the management of marine fisheries. The government
asserts that the proposed amendment is aimed at curbing juvenile fishing
through standardisation of vessels and restrictions on the dimensions of
fishing gear, but stakeholder communities are not convinced. The Kerala
Fishing Boat Operators’ Association feels that a nationwide standardisation
of fishing vessels and gear is imperative if juvenile fishing is to be
regulated. “The Kerala government has already prescribed the minimum legal
size for different species and vessels are penalised heavily even for
accidental catch. But that has had no impact on uncontrolled exploitation
by vessels from other States,” says Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal, general
secretary.

Harbours lose business

He points out that many boats from Kerala preferred to land their catch at
Thengapatnam, Colachel or Muttom in Tamil Nadu to avoid being penalised.
“Harbours in Kerala are losing business even as boats from neighbouring
States continue to plunder juvenile fishes.” Mr. Joseph feels that the
proposed fisheries management councils could declare marine protected areas
along the coast for conservation of species.

Traditional fish workers admit that some regulations are imperative for
conservation but they point out that it will have little impact if the
government failed to bring other coastal Sttes on board. “All the curbs on
juvenile fishing would be rendered meaningless if vessels from elsewhere
are allowed to operate in the same waters”, says T. Peter, general
secretary, National Fishworkers Forum.

Ministers to meet

Meanwhile, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has
taken steps to convene a meeting of fisheries Ministers from Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Kerala. The consultation is expected to conclude an
understanding between the three southern States on restricting juvenile
fish catch. Officials said the meeting might take place in September but
sources in the fishing sector said the proposal had failed to elicit a
positive response from the neighbouring States where most of the juvenile
fish catch is transported to fish meal plants catering to the needs of
aquaculture farms.