The fishing ban in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram will come to a close in mid-June this year. Fishermen in these areas, who had sought an exemption from the 61-day ban, due to the loss of livelihood because of Cyclone Vardah and the oil spill had a change of heart.
“The government had agreed to their previous demand of allowing them to go back to the seas in 45 days, but they decided that it was not fair on their part since their counterparts in other districts had agreed to the 61-day ban,” said a source in the Fisheries Department.
Fishermen in these districts had to go to fish either near Andhra Pradesh or Puducherry, but fishermen in those areas objected.
“Most of the labourers on our boats are from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and if our boats get caught in that State, we get beaten up for fishing during ban,” said a fisherman. Nanjil Ravi of Akila Indhiya Meenavar Sangam said fishermen in the State were demanding a fresh study of the catch and breeding season.
Breeding patterns
“After the tsunami there has been a change in the ocean floor and also breeding patterns,” he said.
M.D. Dayalan of Indian Fishermen Association demanded an increase in the dole paid to fishermen during the ban. He said the State government was paying Rs. 5,000 to fishermen for 45 days and since the ban period had increased, the dole too must be hiked.
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