Vexed by what they have called “discriminatory” registration charges and demand for deposit on fishing vessels above 20 metres, boat operators have appealed to the State Department of Fisheries to halve the fee and waive the compulsory deposit.
The notified rates are high and boat operators’ indebtedness must be taken into consideration in the scenario of a crisis-like situation in the marine fisheries sector, said Joseph Xavier Kalapurakkal of the All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators’ Association on Sunday.
“The situation is such that many of the operators will have to sell their boats,” said K. Chandran, president of the association, which represents around 2,200 fishing boats, including trawlers, purseiners and long liners.
However, a Fisheries Department official said that the registration fee was being charged as per the statutes though the boat operators had submitted a memorandum to the government reflecting their views on the development.
Minister for Fisheries K. Babu said that he had received a representation from the boat operators.
The matter will be discussed with the department officials and the boat operators before a decision was taken, he said.
Registration
Until now fishing boats of length of up to 20 metres were registered with the State Fisheries Department for a fee of Rs.4,000 and there was no demand for deposit. Boats of above 20-metre length were registered by the Mercantile Marine Department, Directorate General of Shipping, under the Merchant Shipping Act.
Mr. Kalapurakkal said that most fishing boat operators were indebted to an average extent of Rs.15 lakh.
Marine resources
At the same time, marine resources had shrunk considerably over the last two years, he said.
He said that the State Government had adopted a “discriminatory” attitude towards boats registered in Kerala.
While boats from other States operating in Kerala are required to pay only Rs.15,000 as user fee, Kerala boats have to between Rs.25,000 and Rs.50,000 as deposit.
The boat operators’ memorandum claimed that no other State imposed such heavy charges on fishing boats.
For instance, they said, registration fee in Maharashtra was Rs. 50.
Licence for three years in the State is Rs.500.
Foreign vessels
Even foreign or joint venture vessels operating with Letters of Permit (LoP vessels) are not charged as much as domestic boat operators, they said.
The boat operators said that LoP vessels of 100 to150 metre length were charged only Rs. 10,000 for five years. They are not asked to make any deposit.
Registration fee as per statute: Fisheries dept.
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