‘Follow govt guidelines on lights for fishing’

Accusing Purse Seine Boats of violating the court order on use of light for fishing, the Udupi district Sampradayika Nadadoni Meenugarara Okkuta staged a protest at Malpe port on Tuesday.

The fishermen who gathered in large numbers urged the Fisheries department to initiate action against those who were violating the rules and engaging in unlawful light fishing. The protesters shouted slogans against light fishing.

The fishermen said that the state and Centre had completely banned fishing using lights in 2017.

However, Akhila Karnataka Purse Seine Fishermen Association approached the courts and gave an undertaking that they would follow conditions laid down by the state government for light fishing in 2016. The court granted permission for light fishing with a few conditions they added.

According to the conditions laid down by the state government, lights should be used for fishing only five days before the new moon and five days after the new moon. Fishing should be carried out beyond 12 nautical miles. All required permissions should be taken for fishing using purse seine boats, said the fishermen.

The traditional fishermen added that as per the conditions, only 20% of the boats should leave for fishing using lights in one day. Unfortunately, all rules were violated, they rued.

The fishermen alleged that boats use high capacity generators for lights without obtaining permission from the Mescom. "Coastal Security Police officers should submit a report on the use of lights for fishing. But they have been negligent," they added.