[Reader-list] State sore over fishing policy

[T Peter]

*State sore over fishing policy*

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

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/state-sore-over-
fishing-policy/article18454468.ece





UPDATED: MAY 15, 2017 04:26 IST*Big push for private investments*

The national policy on marine fisheries notified by the Central government
on April 28 has recommended a major push for private investments in
deep-sea fishing, eliciting serious concerns among fishermen communities
who see it as a backdoor entry for foreign players.The policy declares the
government’s intention to rescind the Letter of Permit (LoP) scheme
allowing foreign vessels to operate in Indian waters. Considering that the
LoP scheme has not had the expected impact on inclusive development of the
deep-sea fishing sector, the government will rescind the existing scheme
and consider an alternate mechanism for development of the sector, says the
notification.

Overseas technology

However, it seeks to encourage entrepreneurship development, private
investment and public private partnership in the marine fisheries sector.
It also calls for harnessing overseas technology to develop an optimum
fleet size of modern fishing vessels capable of undertaking extended
voyages. “By opening up the sector to private investors, the government is
providing an alternative to the LoP scheme for foreign players to come in.
It is like closing the main entry and keeping the backdoor open,” says T.
Peter, secretary, National Fishworkers Forum.

“What is to prevent the same players from making an entry through a tie-up
with Indian entrepreneurs?” asks Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, general
secretary, All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators’ Association. The policy moots
the modernisation of the existing indigenous deep-sea fishing fleet and
linkages to markets and export. It also seeks to promote krill fishing and
harvesting of other fisheries resources in areas beyond national
jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Monitoring system

A strong monitoring, control and surveillance regime for fishing vessels
and safety measures to prevent accidents at sea are other recommendations.
Meanwhile, the State government is piqued over the Centre’s refusal to
address the demands and concerns raised by the State at various stakeholder
consultations during the policy formulation. Key government sources said
most of the issues highlighted by the State had been ignored by the Centre.
The government had made a pitch for decentralised management of fisheries,
a nation-wide ban on juvenile fishing and extension of the State’s
territorial jurisdiction from 12 to 36 nautical miles.

Separate ministry

It also wanted the Centre to create a separate ministry for fisheries,
include fisheries in the concurrent list, and prescribe minimum standards
for fishing vessels. “Most of the suggestions submitted by the State
government have not been considered in the policy,” says an official. “We
will now have to think of some other means to address the issues in the
fisheries sector.” The government is learnt to be convening a meeting soon
to discuss other options.