Kerala mulling legislation for fishermen

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 15: Kerala is exploring the possibility of brining in new legislation, stipulating the right only for traditional fishermen to fish in the territorial waters controlled by the state, Fisheries Minister S Sarma told the state Assembly today.

Replying to questions by Mr P C George (Kerala Congress-Secular) and others he said the government was sure to bring about comprehensive reforms in the fishing sector, including a legislation stipulating the right of the first sale of the catch to the fishermen itself and ensure the ownership of equipments and boats to traditional fishermen.

Mr Sarma said the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has targetted to earn four billion dollars through fish export by 2012.

The Fisheries Minister said the export of ornamental fish would start from January 15 and a company with Chief Minister as its Chairman had been constituted. The production and export of the ornamental fish would be made with the cooperation of a partner, who was selected through a global bid.

The company had submitted its final report to the government, he said and claimed that in future the state would be serve as a role model to other states in the country in the export of ornamental fish.

UNI