: District Collector N. Padmakumar has said that steps will be taken to ensure that trawlers do not engage in fishing within 10 km of the coast. He was addressing a meeting on the preparations for implementing the State government ban on trawling.
He said strict orders would be given to fishermen to not. He pointed out that fishing using trawlers within 10 km would eat into the catch of traditional fishermen. Under the central rule, trawlers are permitted to do the fishing activity beyond 10 km from the coast, within 12 nautical miles off the coast.
The authorities who enforce the ban would take factors such as the size of the boat, the power of the engine and the specifications of the net. The Collector said suggestions to extend the period of the ban to 60 days would be forwarded to the government.
Fisheries officials said description on traditional fishing activity needed to be arrived at by an expert panel. It was pointed out that though the district had just 68 licensed boats, the number of boats involved in fishing along the coast was much more.
The authorities who enforce the ban would take factors such as the size of the boat, the power of the engine and the specifications of the net.
