The Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedi, contesting the recommendations of a committee headed by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) director A. Gopalakrishnan, has challenged the credibility of reports from the institute on the issue of ban on trawling during monsoon.
The Dr. Gopalakrishnan Committee submitted its recommendations in September last year. One of the recommendations challenged by the fishermen is the extension of the trawling ban on the West Coast to 61 days and application of the ban to all types of vessels, including purseiners and ringseiners, except the traditional non-motorised units.
The Aikya Vedi claimed here that the recommendations of the committee had discarded all other reports by scientists from the same institute over the last decade. The Vedi also maintained that scientists from the CMFRI had submitted two different reports on the subject of monsoon trawling ban within a year.
However, a scientist familiar with the development said that there were some disagreements among the committee reports. However, he pointed out that some of the reports were Kerala-specific while others had a national perspective. In any case, he added, there was a feeling that some rectifications had to be made.
Charles George, State president of the fishermen’s combine, said in a press release here that a report in 2005 by the committee headed by Mohan Joseph Modayil, the then director of the institute, had recommended a ban for a period of 61 days, applicable to vessels using motors above 10HP. Another committee recommended in 2010 that the trawling ban should be limited to 47 days, applicable to vessels using engines above 25HP. Mr. Charles claimed that yet another committee, headed by a CMFRI scientist in 2014, recommended that instead of a ban during monsoon, curbs should be imposed on vessels using ringseines during April-May period. However, the State government had rejected the recommendation.
The Aikya Vedi demanded that the government reject the recommendations of the latest committee. At present, monsoon trawling ban is for a period of 47 days and mechanised traditional boats are not within its purview.
