Resistance to Stop Fishing Completely during the Trawling Ban Period. . . .

Thiruvananthapuram: The KSMTF has demanded the rejection of the recommendation made by the Dr.Mohan Joseph Modayil Committee to bring about total fishing ban during the period of trawling ban. The Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr.Mohan Joseph Modayil of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) was appointed by the Central Government.

The trawling ban has been imposed in the light of scientific studies that called for the same in order to protect fish resources, ensure sustenance of the artisanal fishworkers and to avoid conflicts at sea. The fishworkers' protests are directed at the unscientific practice of trawling that churns the sea bed and heaps the juveniles and eggs alike. No Government can stop the fishworkers who venture out to the sea for their livelihood. Also there is no reason to stop the boats that use gillnets and hook and line for fishing. It is the trawl net that is harmful to fish resources. Again, it is not the boat or engine that causes the problem. Developed countries like Norway and Brazil impose a fishing holiday. The Government provides the income needed for their living during the period. Here, the welfare measures and policies for the fishworkers remain suspended. The move to stop fishing of the fishers who work to earn their living by going to the sea, in the name of total ban on fishing, will lead to grave consequences. At the same time, the elected Government should be willing to implement the Fisheries Policy that calls for measures to reduce pressure due to excessive fishing.

The Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation have demanded that both leading political groups should publicize their stand vis-a-vis implementation of Fisheries Policy, implementation of policy measures to collect of cess from boat owners and fish exporters to revive the Fishermen's Welfare Fund Board, drafting of a unified policy to protect inland water bodies and fisheries, instead of the existing policies for Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Malabar, ensuring the protection of wayside women fish vendors and provision of basic amenities like drinking water to all fishing villages.

The Federation has also demanded that both groups should be willing to advance the deserving consideration to the fisheries sector in the finalization of candidates for the forthcoming elections to the Legislative Assembly..

The State President of KSMTF Shri.T.Peter, General Secretary Shri.P.P.John, Thiruvanthapuram District President Shri.John.J.P, District Secretary Shri.Anto Elias and Shri.J.Jerome participated in the press conference.