TN fishermen seek change in period of fishing ban

Chennai, April 16: Tamil Nadu fishermen on Thursday urged the Union government to consider changing the period of the annual fishing ban from April-May currently to October-November for helping facilitate better fish breeding.

The annual fishing ban or fishing holiday is being followed for 45 days in Tamil Nadu from April like the rest of East coast to facilitate breeding of fish.

"We feel that the October-November period is more suitable to implement the ban to help conserve marine resources in Tamil Nadu. "

The Centre should take a re-look and shift the period of ban to the monsoon season of October-November," president of the South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association, K Bharathi told.

Stating that Centre has extended the ban period to 61 days now, he said "fishermen are not sure if the mandatory fishing holiday in TN too will be for 61 days."

"If that is the case, we urge the Centre to increase the monetary assistance substantially from the present Rs 2000 for 45 days which is now being given only by the State government," he added.

Tamil Nadu government fisheries authorities were unavailable to comment on the duration of the current year's ban period.

National Fish Workers Forum, Chairperson, M Ilango, referring to the plea for a shift in periodicity to monsoon period, said,"fishermen have traditional knowledge not only about fishing but also about fish conservation."

"The Centre would do well to listen to what the fishermen have to say. Government has scientific data as well. Let them hear all kinds of views, consider all these inputs and then take a decision," he said.

On the extension of duration of the ban to 61 days, he said," in Puducherry now it has been extended to 61 days, it is ok. Our request is the present assistance of Rs 4000 (in Puducherry) by the Centre should be increased to Rs 10,000".

The ban period began on Wednesday and it will be in vogue till June 14 in Puducherry, he added.

PTI