: Kerala’s marine sector is in for turbulence as a result of the Centre’s proposal to bring traditional fishermen under the purview of the annual monsoon trawling ban.
If the Union Fisheries Department has its way, the monsoon trawling ban would be extended to 61 days from June 1 to July 31. The ban is currently 47 days in the State between June 15 and July 31.
The trawling ban and extension of its period figured prominently at a conference of Chief Ministers and Fisheries Ministers from coastal States on Wednesday.
The proposal for bringing traditional fishermen under the trawling ban finds a place in the B. Meenakumari report, but it has not come up for debate in the State so far mainly because the focus has been on other aspects of the recommendation.
Fisheries Minister K. Babu, who participated in the conference, placed on record the State government’s objections to the move as it would affect an estimated 10 lakh fishermen population in the State. The State is also opposed to extending the ban period to 61 days.
