Fishers demand curbs on ‘light fishing’

Say the destructive method is one of the reasons for the decline in fish stocks

The ban imposed by the Central government on artificial lights used by mechanised vessels for fishing has triggered the demand for similar restrictions by the State to curb the destructive fishing practice in coastal waters.

Late last year, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, under the Union Ministry of Agriculture, had issued an order prohibiting the use of surface or submerged artificial lights by mechanised fishing vessels or motorised fishing craft for trawling, purse-seining and gill netting operations in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone beyond territorial waters.

The notification also prohibited the practice of bull trawling, purse seining and gill netting operations. The decision was taken after certain coastal States moved the Centre with a plea for a ban on these activities to save the marine ecology.

LED lights

The use of powerful LED lights for fishing has been a cause for conflict among fishermen all along the Kerala coast. A large section of fishers from the traditional and mechanised sectors feel that the destructive method is one of the prime reasons for the decline in fish stocks, especially juveniles of several commercially important species.

“While the Centre’s ban covers the area beyond territorial waters (12 nautical miles from the coast), most of the light fishing operations are concentrated in the coastal waters where maritime states have jurisdiction,” observes Joseph Xavier Lalappurakkal, general secretary, All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association.

Powered by generators, the lights are used to attract fish which are then scooped up in bulk, leading to depletion of stocks over time.

“Traditional fishermen have been the worst-affected,” says T. Peter, secretary, National Fishworkers Forum. He, however, admits that the artisanal sector has also taken to light fishing in a big way in recent times.

“The Centre’s ban is likely to result in a spike in light fishing within territorial waters unless the State government comes up with regulations,” Mr. Peter observes.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) had prescribed a ban on light fishing within territorial waters to protect the interests of the traditional fishers, prevent conflicts and also to protect coastal fish stocks.

A brief on the marine fisheries policy prepared by K. Sunil Mohammed, CMFRI, mooted restrictions on the number of vessels using lights for fishing, the power of lights used, the number of days of purse seine light fishing operations and the mesh size of nets.