The Ernakulam district unit of the Fisheries Department has swung into action to see to it that fishing vessels of all categories install the automatic identification system and comply with the new colour code.
Sources in the department on Thursday said that around 60 per cent of the fishing vessels in the district had complied with colour coding.
Though the period for compliance had ended in March this year, it was extended to enable fishing vessel owners to start operations in the new fishing season in fresh colours after the 47-day trawling ban during July-August.
Identification system
The department has also invited applications from fishing boat owners for induction of the automatic identification system, a move that has been widely welcomed by fishermen. Charles George of the TUCI said that majority of the fishing boats in the district had been installed with the identification device developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL).
It is a welcome step considering the changed security perception and the need for greater coastal security, he added.
To be fined
A Fisheries Department official said boats that were not colour compliant were now being fined, and that steps would be taken to ensure that all fishing boats were colour code complaint at the earliest.
The department also made it clear that coastal security agencies had reminded it of the necessity of ensuring that fishing boats followed the colour code.
It is estimated that there are over a thousand mechanised fishing boats operating out of the two big fishing harbours of Thoppumpady and Kalamukku. Colour coding is applicable to all categories of fishing vessels.
A major amendment proposed by the State government to the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act of 1980 concerns the strict implementation of colour coding.
Boat operators who fail to comply with the colour coding order by September 30 will not be allowed to venture out for fishing.
Majority of the fishing boats in the district have been installed with the identification device developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory.
Charles George,TUCI
