: The implementation of fishing ban as proposed by the Syda Rao committee will lead to exploitation of commercially important fish varieties during its peak breeding season, pointed out the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi.
Acting on the recommendations, the Central Agriculture Ministry had banned fishing for all vessels on the west coast beyond the territorial waters between June 1 and July 31 and on the east coast between April 15 and June 14.
As a result, fishing activities across the country would also come to a standstill between June 1 and 15.
The Rao committee was constituted in 2013 by the Ministry to review the duration of the ban period and to suggest measures to strengthen the conservation and management aspects of fish varieties.
Going by the Rao report, key pelagic species like sardines and mackerel would be exploited during its peak breeding months of April and May, where there would not be any ban. Demersal species like sharks, rays, shrimps, squids and catfishes too would be caught during October and November, its peak breeding season, pointed out the institute.
The shortfalls in the report were pointed out by the CMFRI, in a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.
The institute, which requested the Ministry not to consider the report in its present form, had also offered to rework and resubmit it.
A pragmatic approach rather than wholly conservation-oriented one should be adopted in case of fisheries regulations as it would affect the livelihoods of millions of fishermen, argued scientists.
The ban order had created widespread uproar across the coastal States, including Kerala, where its effect would be felt more.
'The annual monsoon trawl will begin in Kerala on June 15.
While the mechanised sector would be banned from fishing during the period, the traditional fishermen can put to sea during the ban days. Kerala government has stated that it will not implement the Rao recommendations in the wake of widespread protests.
Committee was formed to review duration of ban
Kerala not to implement Syda Rao report
