Fishermen demand ban on light-based fishing, bull trawl fishing

Karnataka State Traditional Fishermen's Organization, Udupi district staged a huge protest rally in front of DC's Office in Manipal on Monday, demanding a ban on light-based fishing and bull trawl fishing in the sea.

Fishermen leader Manju Billava said the state government should follow the directions of the Central government to ban unscientific fishing such as light fishing and the bull trawl fishing. Unscientific fishing has caused severe loss of even employment to many number of traditional fishermen. Squids and green mussels are caught using plastic covers, and the species are on the verge of extinction. The Centre's order is not implemented in Udupi district which has created confusion among the fishermen, he pointed out.

"Fishermen have not received kerosene for December, January and February. The government has also stopped offering subsidies for the outboard engines of the traditional fishing crafts. The mechanised boats should be banned from fishing within the 12 nautical miles from the shore," he added.

Former MLA Raghupathy Bhat said the district BJP has appealed the Centre to allot separate kerosene quota for the fishermen. The policy should be in place to prevent confusion, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Priyanak Mary Francis said 60 boats are seized for using generators. "The licences are cancelled and the office in Mangaluru is approached for cancellation of the registration of the boats. Strict action will be taken against light-based fishing and instructions are given to seize at harbour the boats with generators installed. Such boats are deprived of diesel subsidy and the licence is withdrawn. The Coastal Security Police (CSP) DySP and the Fisheries Department deputy director will be continuously monitoring to curb the unscientific fishing," she maintained.

Retorting to a demand for the immediate release of pending kerosene, Francis said that on demand by the fishermen, an extension was given to procure kerosene till March 10 as against the earlier March 5. The Company (IUC) is not consented for continuation by the Central government. The district administration has raised the issue with the secretary. The kerosene for January and March is given together and the process has begun from Monday, she added.