Other States - Orissa   

Make duration of fishing ban uniform, says Pawar

BHUBANESWAR: With infringement of territorial waters by fishermen on sea noticed frequently, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday asked coastal States and Union Territories to make the ban imposed on fishing uniform on both east and west coasts.

“While the period of the ban will necessarily vary on account of distinct characteristics and breeding habits of species, we could consider the number of days of the ban to be the same in both areas to avoid poaching or other illegal fishing activities,” Mr. Pawar said delivering valedictory address at a convention of State Fishery Ministers here.

The Agriculture Minister directed the department to have a consultation with fisheries experts and come up with suggested course of action in the matter within three months. Orissa fishermen have long been complaining that their water territory is often intruded by fishermen from Andhra Pradesh. Moreover, the long fishing ban for conservation of Olive Ridley turtles has badly affected economy of coastal fishermen.

“Sustainable exploitation of marine resources and conservation of marine biodiversity is critical. All the States and Union Territories have enacted their Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts, which address the issue of sustainability and conservation within the territorial waters,” he said.

Mr. Pawar underlined the need for harmonizing the regulations with a greater sense of purpose.

Like marine fishing regulations, he urged State governments to enact their Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Act in line with model bill, which had been drafted and was waiting for clearance from the Ministry of Law. This would enable Centre and States to have a uniform strategy for development of inland fisheries and aquaculture.

Highlighting the poor state of affairs of fishermen, Mr. Pawar directed the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to carry out an intensive and comprehensive study and survey of socio-economic conditions of the fishermen so that a national policy on welfare of fishermen could be developed based on reliable data.

Moreover, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) was asked by the Union Minister to initiate pilot projects on mariculture in all coastal states on priority. He impressed upon State governments to come out with progressive policies for allocation of rights of the coastal waters for helping fishermen take up commercial mariculture.

Addressing a press conference later in the day, Union Minister of State for Agriculture K. V. Thomas said the Orissa Government’s request for handing over Paradip fishing harbour to the State Government was considered. “We would request Ministry of Ship to transfer the harbour to Orissa.”

Mr. Thomas said that at least one clean and hygienic domestic market for fish would be established in each State to popularize the concept of clean markets and promote domestic consumption.

The convention echoed the resolve to enhance fish production to 10 million tonnes by 2012 from the present level of 7.13 million tonnes.

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