Fishermen up in arms Staff Reporter Fishermen up in arms
Staff Reporter http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/24/stories/2007062455440500.htm KOLLAM: Traditional fishermen, under the banner of the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, have decided to launch an agitation against the Kerala Monsoon Fishery (pelagic) Protection Bill 2007. Federation president T. Peter and general secretary A. Andrews said here on Saturday that the Bill, which was passed recently, would only serve to destroy the traditional fishing sector. The federation was planning to move the court against the Bill. It wanted the Government to withdraw the Bill. They alleged that under the label of pelagic fishing, destructive trawling was going to take place. The Bill would facilitate huge boats fitted with in-board engines of 110 HP to 180 HP engage in fishing during the trawling ban period. The Supreme Court had given a verdict that boat fitted with in-board engines more than 10 HP should not be allowed to fish during the trawling ban period. Mr. Peter said that though traditional fishermen worked in such boats, the fishing operation by these boats were highly harmful for the conservation of marine wealth. These boats use banned nets which are over 1.5 km long and can extend to a depth of 130 m. Such boats, in fact, are engaged in trawling, he said. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ greenyouth mailinglist is the activist support mailinglist for kerala To post to this group, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
