45-day ban on fishing activities from today

April 15, 2010 05:59 pm | Updated 05:59 pm IST - Tuticorin:

The mechanised boats anchored at the fishing harbour in Tuticorin on Wednesday. Photo: N. Rajesh.

The mechanised boats anchored at the fishing harbour in Tuticorin on Wednesday. Photo: N. Rajesh.

The fishing operation has come to a standstill as the 45-day ban on fishing by mechanised boats comes into effect from April 15. Restrictions have been imposed on fishing in view of breeding season in the coastal waters.

Usually the mechanised boats remain off the coast following enforcement of the ban.

During these days the coastal communities get involved in carrying out maintenance of their boats. Financial assistance of Rs. 500 is being extended to every fisherman during the ban. Though there is restriction for fishing operations, hectic activities are taking place in the fishing harbour.

The fishermen get engaged in works to set right technical snag and faults, if any, with engines. Other works like painting, wood work and preparing the fishing nets are taken up.

The fishermen earn their living with as many as 262 mechanised boats in Tuticorin. Fishing activities will be on a low key in other coastal villages like Tharuvaikulam with 60 mechanised boats, Vembar with 65 and Veerapandipattinam possessing 36.

Unlike the fishermen with mechanised boats, the country boat fishermen take exception to the ban. Since they undertake fishing with gill nets, it will not harm the breeding ground of fish unlike the dragnet.

Besides, over 5, 000 country boats in various parts of the district rely on fishing for their livelihood. Since the domestic consumption of fish is on the rise, the price is expected to go up during the period.

“If the fishermen want to have fish to eat and jobs for themselves in the future, then they need to ensure that there's something there to catch.” Commandant Udhal Singh, Coast Guard Station, Tuticorin, told ‘The Hindu' here on Wednesday that the Collector, the personnel of Coastal Security Group and Fisheries Department were asked to implement the directives in their respective area of jurisdiction.

A uniform ban on fishing by all fishing vessels in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone beyond territorial waters in Gulf of Mannar had been imposed for conservation and effective management of fisheries, Mr. Udhal Singh said.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.