JOIN USThe meet also resolved to take steps to strictly implement fishing holidays between June and August; to take steps to increase the mesh size in the fishing net so that fingerlings could survive (escape the net); take steps to install ‘turtle exclusion device’ to rescue turtles (tortoise and dolphins, for example) which are caught in the net while fishing; take steps to process the effluent waste before discharging to the sea; to drop Nethravathi river diversion project; to identify coastal region as sensitive; and to extend ‘green wall’ project to the entire coastal region.
Fisheries hotspots
Earlier in the day, speaking after inaugurating the workshop, Western Ghat Task Force Chairman Ananth Hegde Asheesara explained the ironies in the high tech era.
“The lakes and water bodies have increased, but inland fish is on the decline; there is technology, but fish species are on the decline; the number of boat mishaps too are on the rise, especially due to silt accumulation.”
Stating that the Task Force has identified 8 fisheries hotspots (Matsyadhama) and esturies in coastal and Malnad region, he said there is a need for co-ordination between various departments to safeguard the declining fish species.
Presiding over the workshop, Additional Chief Conservator of Forest Dr Sundar Naik stressed the need for development, but with less or no adverse impact on the environment. Western Ghats Task Force Member Keshav Korse opined that the number of seminars and workshops have increased, but there is lack of co-ordination between various departments.
“The people concerned are working in islands,” he opined and urged the need to reach the target group (fishermen). Speaking on the occasion, fishermen leader Keshav Kundar stressed the need for dredging and check the waste disposal by mega industries. “It is true that mega industries are not allowed to construct in CRZ zone, but their pipelines carrying discharge to sea pass through fishermen’s land,” he lamented.
Prof Ramachandra Bhat regretted that the allocation for conservation of fish is highly inadequate. “We often hear about investment on harbour, fisheries roads and other projects, but very little is done for conservation of fish,” he said.
‘River water vital for ecosystem’
In his keynote address, expert Jagadish Krishnaswamy said that rivers that discharge fresh-water into the sea play a major role in sustaining the productivity of coastal and marine ecosystems. “They are not ‘running waste’ into the sea,” he stated and added that the diversion of rivers such as the Netravati upstream will cause major changes to marine and coastal ecosystems and will directly affect fisheries.