Coast Guard seeks greater role in State waters http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/coast-guard-seeks-greater-role-in-state-waters/article8521895.ece
- [image: T. Nandakumar] T. NANDAKUMAR <http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/t.-nandakumar/> State officials feel that handing over of abjudication powers to Coast Guard may lead to harassment of fishers [image: A Coast Guard vessel detaining a vessel for illegally entering the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.— Photo: PTI] A Coast Guard vessel detaining a vessel for illegally entering the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.— Photo: PTI n a move that could have serious implications for the fishing sector, the Coast Guard has approached the State government seeking a greater role in enforcement of marine laws in territorial waters under State jurisdiction. The government has sought a detailed proposal from the Coast Guard before finalising its response. “Giving the Coast Guard a greater role in enforcement and regulation would require an executive order or an amendment to the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1980,” says Director of Fisheries Mini Antony, who held discussions with the Coast Guard Commandant. “With faster vessels and infrastructure and better reach, the Coast Guard would be in a better position to act against unlicensed vessels and violations of territorial jurisdiction. They can coordinate with the Coastal Police and Marine Enforcement wing to enforce marine laws and enhance coastal security,” says an official. But others feel that the move is fraught with danger. The State Act envisages a limited role for the Coast Guard in enforcement and regulation. While a panel of officials from the Fisheries Department and Coast Guard is empowered to impound vessels, seize catch and impose penalty, the abjudication power rests with officials in the rank of Deputy Director. “Handing over abjudication powers to the Coast Guard could result in conflict of interests and harassment of fishers,” says an official. “State department officials with a better understanding of ground realities are appropriate for the role.” *Clashes off coast* Meanwhile, tension has been building up following clashes between traditional fishers and trawlers off the coast of Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram last week. Local fishermen allege that trawler boats, mostly from Tamil Nadu, were intruding into areas demarcated for the traditional sector. “The ban on night time trawling is also violated by these vessels,” says Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal, general secretary, Kerala Fishing Boat Operators’ Association. The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) has warned that the situation could escalate into a major confrontation unless the government took steps to check the illegal trawling. Four fishers from Andhakaranazhi in Alappuzha were injured in a clash at sea on Saturday while trying to prevent trawling. *Bottom Trawling* The bottom trawling operations have led to dwindling catch for local fishers. “The period from April to mid-May is considered a boom time, but this year the boats are returning with very poor catch,” says T. Peter, secretary, National Fishworkers Forum. Ms. Antony said the coastal police and Marine Enforcement were keeping a close watch on the situation to prevent the situation from deteriorating. ------------------------------ - *‘Coast Guard better equipped to act against territorial jurisdiction violation’* - *Intrusion by trawlers into areas earmarked for traditional fishers alleged* ------------------------------ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
