Move to launch fishing licences

After nearly three-decades in hibernation, the Fisheries Department has started the process of implementing a "fishing licence" in the State.

After nearly three-decades in hibernation, the Fisheries Department has started the process of implementing a “fishing licence” in the State. Coming under the ambit of the Karnataka Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 1986, the licence will allow for greater regulation of boats, its nets and fishing zones.

Officials of the department said preliminary meetings were being conducted with fishermen’s organisations. “The State government has directed us to start the licensing system when the fishing season starts. But there is opposition to the licensing and we need to sort this out,” said M.D. Prasad, Deputy Director, Fisheries.

Moreover, with more than 1,200 trawl boats – whose licence will be linked to their diesel subsidy passbook – and 1,000 small and traditional boats operating in the district, he said the licensing process for all of them will take time.

Violations rife

The Act seeks to “regulate fishing activities on scientific lines”. Officials said licence will set strictly a zone for trawl boats and other big boats (preventing them from fishing within 10km of the shore which is reserved for traditional boats), fish net size to ensure juvenile fish are not caught, to provide legal backing in fishing disputes, ensure universal insurance of fishermen, among others.

“Currently, there is no accountability for the sector. From using nets with small mesh size to mechanical fishing close to the shore to even undervaluing the insurance for crew and vessel, violations are rife,” said an official.

However, with the department itself lacking manpower, machinery and infrastructure, the Karnataka Coastal Police will be entrusted to ensure adherence to the conditions of the licence.

Smart card gaffe

Officials said fishermen in Malpe had expressed opposition during the meetings on the implementation of the licence. For the fishermen here, the scepticism lies in the “excess bureaucracy” introduced in the sector.

“Last year, the government asked us to make smart cards and we lined up for it, but even that plan failed to go through,” said Umesh Karkera, Honorary president of the Karnataka Purse-seine Meenugarara Sangha.

While he welcomed the idea of regulating fish size, he questioned the need for annual renewal when fishermen have to already pay Rs. 3,500 yearly for renewal of boat registration certificate yearly.