[Reader-list] Fishers demand curbs on ‘light fishing’ in coastal waters

[T Peter]

*Fishers demand curbs on ‘light fishing’ in coastal waters*

T. Nandakumar
<http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/T.-NandakumarThiruvananthapuram-6228/>

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/fishers-
demand-curbs-on-light-fishing-in-coastal-waters/article22554215.ece

*Say the destructive method is one of the prime reasons for the decline in
fish stocks*

The ban imposed by the Central government on artificial lights used by
mechanised vessels for fishing has triggered the demand for similar
restrictions by the State to curb the destructive fishing practice in
coastal waters. Late last year, the Department of Animal Husbandry,
Dairying and Fisheries, under the Union Ministry of Agriculture, had issued
an order prohibiting the use of surface or submerged artificial lights by
mechanised fishing vessels or motorised fishing craft for trawling,
purse-seining and gill netting operations in the Indian Exclusive Economic
Zone beyond territorial waters.

The notification also prohibited the practice of bull trawling, purse
seining and gill netting operations. The decision was taken after certain
coastal States moved the Centre with a plea for a ban on these activities
to save the marine ecology.

*LED lights*

The use of powerful LED lights for fishing has been a cause for conflict
among fishermen all along the Kerala coast. A large section of fishers from
the traditional and mechanised sectors feel that the destructive method is
one of the prime reasons for the decline in fish stocks, especially
juveniles of several commercially important species.

“While the Centre’s ban covers the area beyond territorial waters (12
nautical miles from the coast), most of the light fishing operations are
concentrated in the coastal waters where maritime states have
jurisdiction,” observes Joseph Xavier Lalappurakkal, general secretary, All
Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association. Powered by generators, the
lights are used to attract fish which are then scooped up in bulk, leading
to depletion of stocks over time.

“Traditional fishermen have been the worst-affected,” says T. Peter,
secretary, National Fishworkers Forum. He, however, admits that the
artisanal sector has also taken to light fishing in a big way in recent
times. “The Centre’s ban is likely to result in a spike in light fishing
within territorial waters unless the State government comes up with
regulations,” Mr. Peter observes.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) had prescribed a
ban on light fishing within territorial waters to protect the interests of
the traditional fishers, prevent conflicts and also to protect coastal fish
stocks. A brief on the marine fisheries policy prepared by K. Sunil
Mohammed, CMFRI, mooted restrictions on the number of vessels using lights
for fishing, the power of lights used, the number of days of purse seine
light fishing operations and the mesh size of nets.

The institute, however, stressed the need to encourage resource- specific
light fishing beyond 12 nautical miles for exploitation of deep sea
resources like oceanic squid.