: A convention of fishermen ‘Sagara Sangamam’ will be held in Munambam on Sunday under the aegis of Matsya Thozhilali Federation (CITU) in protest against the marine fisheries policy of the Union government.
A spokesman for the organisers of the protest action said that fishermen would bring hundreds of boats to the Munambam harbour on Sunday by 4 p. m. to forge a wall of fishing boats between Munambam and Kottappuram as part of the protest action.
A meeting of the fishermen that will follow the show of strength will be inaugurated by the State president of CITU Anathalavattam Anandan. Former fisheries minister S. Sarma; district secretary of the CPI (M) P. Rajeeve and V. S. Sunil Kumar, MLA, are among those scheduled to speak at the convention. The fishermen will take an oath to resist the Centre’s policies on marine fisheries. Bishop of Kottappuram diocese Joseph Karikkasserry will administer the oath to the fishermen. The spokesman for the Federation said that the fishermen wanted the government to withdraw the B. Meenakumari Committee and the Syda Rao Committee reports. The latter report has recommended, among other things, that ban on fishing during the monsoon season be extended to a uniform 61 days on both coasts of India. The convention of fishermen on Sunday will also highlight the demand for subsidised kerosene for the traditional fisheries sector. The convention in Munambam is among a string of protest action planned by fishermen this month. Members of the Fisheries Coordination Committee plans to march to all Central government offices in Kerala on May 19 to highlight these demands. In Kochi, the Coordination Committee activists will march to the office of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology.
