The All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association will launch Statewide protests to mark its disapproval of the government hiking the fee for registration and annual licence and deposit for fishing boats.
Boat owners say the hike in fee and new regulations will lead to a serious crisis in the sector, affecting the livelihood of many. “There has been a steep decline in marine stock. The fuel price is another issue. The situation is already grim. We want the government to reconsider the decision,” association president Peter Mathias says.
For boats of 11-17 metres long, the registration fee was ₹790, annual licence fee ₹1,575, and deposit ₹3,150 so far.
“And for boats in the 17-20 m category it used to be ₹790, ₹2,365, and ₹4,725 respectively. But now they have created a new category for boats, 15-19.9 m long, and the new registration fee is ₹10,000, licence fee ₹4,500, and the deposit ₹9,000,” he says.
Boats above 20 m
But the biggest blow has come for boats above 20 m as the registration fee has been fixed at ₹25,000. “Instead of the annual licence fee this year, they introduced a special permit fee and all crafts in the 20-m to 30-m category will now have to pay ₹50,000. The industry will not survive if the government insists on such rates that are not affordable for many.”
He says Kerala is the only marine State that has imposed a 10-fold hike in fee. “All other States are more considerate towards fishers and their fee is low compared to Kerala. After 2010, Kerala was pushed to fourth in the sector with Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka overtaking us and the government’s hostile attitude is a major reason for that,” he says.
