Ban imposed on monsoon trawling

Thiruvananthapuram, June 7: A 45-day trawling ban on the marine wealth off the Kerala coast coinciding with the monsoon season will come into effect on June 15, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said today.

Talking to newspersons here after a meeting of the state Cabinet, the Chief Minister said the ban on the operation of mechanised trawlers would be in force from June 15 to July 29.

Mr Achuthanandan said the Government had also decided to set up an expert committee to study the impact of the monsoon trawling ban that was in force in the state during the past 18 years.

Despite protest by boat operators, the state Government has been imposing the ban every year during the monsoon season in order to regenerate the marine life off the coast. The committee would also study the impact of various fishing methods on marine life.

UNI