Coastal states to urge centre to ban fishing during monsoon season

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mysore, Apr 21 (UNI) A daylong conference of ministers and top bureaucrats from six coastal states held here today decided to impress upon the Union Government to ban fishing during the monsoon season.

The conference, which met here at the Abdu Nazir Sab State Institute for rural development, had detailed discussions on fishing ban period to be imposed in territoral waters along west coast and to arive at consensus on the issue.

The conference was deliberated the issue of uniform fishing ban during the monsoon in west coast states of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Maharastra, Gujarat and Union territorry of Lakshadweep.

Southern Zone Council of six states had taken a decision in 1998 for a uniform ban on fishing for 65 days thus violating the councils'decision. Karnataka and Goa altered the schedule due to pressure from fishermen. Again due to pressure from fishermen to alter the ban period on par with neighbouring states and according to the interm order of Supereme Court to impose uniform ban on fishing along with west coast States here, banned fishing from June 10 to August 15 last year. The final judgement of the court in this regard is awaited.

Today's meeting decided to recommend the Union Government to stick to the committee constituted by the centre during 2004 which suggested and recommended that a mandatory closed season should be declared for the country's west coast from June 15 to July 31 every year both days inclusive that is 47 days.

The meeting also recommended that a permission to use 25 HP motorised traditional boats. It also recommended upgradation and modernisation of fishing harbours and providing necessary instructural facilities in the harbours (all season fishing harbour) After the meeting, Karnataka Fisheries Minister Nagaraja Shetty said the meeting also recommended to the Union Government for procurement, communication system and life saving equipment on free of cost to deep sea and multiday fishing boats.

It was also suggested that alternative jobs for the fishermen during the ban period in the season and education to their children.

It chalkout a programme to improve marketing facilities and development (both local and international) in collaboration with ministry of commerence for fish and fishery products.

Earlier the minister inaugurating the conference called for a coordination among the west coast states in implementing the ban.

Kerala Minister for Fisheries Sharma, Dr M K Nayar Joint Commissioner for Fisheries, Dr V S Somavamshi Director General for Fisheries Survey of India and more then 25 top senior officials all six states have took part in the conference.

UNI

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