Strictly opposing the proposed move of Union Government for promotion of deep water fishing, several thousand fishermen in Puducherry on Friday stayed away from the sea and resorted to a massive demonstration to push for the withdrawal of the proposals.
Assembling at the Thengaithittu fishing harbour, the fishermen and their family members voiced their objections to the recommendations of the expert committee headed by Dr.B. Meenakumari, Deputy Director General (Fisheries) that reviewed India’s existing guidelines for deep-sea fishing in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Foreign trawlers
They also opposed the recent decision by the Union government to permit foreign trawlers to operate in Indian waters.
The seven-member team was appointed soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an appeal for a “Blue Revolution” at the Foundation Day address in Indian Council for Agricultural Research last July.
According to the fishermen, following the submission of the report by the panel, the Union Government recently issued a notification for inviting proposal from multinational companies.
On Friday, fishermen and their families from 18 coastal villages in Puducherry assembled before the Thengaithittu Fishing Harbour.
Small fishing boats, mechanised boats and fibre boats did not venture into sea for fishing.
The fishermen and their family members including scores of women raised slogans against the Union government and burnt the copies of the committee’s report.
P. Puthupattan, president of fishermen village panchayat, Vambakeerapalayam said, “The report of Dr.Meenakumari was prepared without consulting the fishermen and suggestions in the report formulated without taking into account the views of the stakeholders in the marine fishing sector.
The Union government should therefore reject the report.”
Livelihood affected
M.Veeramani, a struggle committee member said, “The report and the subsequent decision of the Union government will deprive thousands of fishermen of livelihood. We consider the decision is an attempt to sell India’s fisheries resources to big foreign vessel operators, corporate sector and multi national companies.”
Large fishing boat owners, fish vendors and several others related to fishing activities also participated in the protest.
