The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday, hearing two separate petitions — one for prohibiting the use of unauthorised fishing vessels and the other seeking registration and grant of certificate for the mechanised deep sea fishing vessels — adjourned the case. Justice V. Bharathidasan posted the case for hearing on January 24.
The petitioner R. Raj of Thoothukudi said that deep sea vessels as defined under the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, meant any boat measuring more than 20 metres with engine power above 150 horse power. These vessels were used for deep-sea fishing and were regulated under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
Under the Act, a deep-sea shipping vessel should be registered and should have log books, certificates, safety standards, load lines and construction requirement. It should have registration relating to the port of registry and the entire voyage should be recorded in the log books, he said.
The petitioner contended that some of these vessels used 700 HP engines that were brought from China as scrap and fitted to boats. These boats were not registered and their designs were not authorised. These boats were also fitted with heavy and long fishing nets and followed mechanical fishing methods which caused damage to the fish population and marine ecology. Action must be taken against the use of such unauthorised boats and they must be prohibited, he said.
Another petition was filed by the Deep Sea Mechanised Boat Fishing Development Association, which sought directions for registration and certification of mechanised boats. The association contended that the livelihood of fishermen was at stake and the fishing community was contributing considerably to the Indian economy and grant of licence would benefit fishermen.
