The annual monsoon trawling ban in the State will begin at midnight on June 10 and will be in force for 52 days.
A meeting held at the district collectorate here ahead of the annual trawl ban decided to ask fishing vessels from other States to leave Kerala coast before June 9.
Control rooms working 24x7 had been opened in all coastal districts and vessels arranged for patrolling at sea during the monsoon. The Fisheries department has also ordered all coastal diesel outlets here to close during the ban period as sale of diesel to mechanised boats is prohibited during the period. Fishermen, peeling shed workers and labourers in related areas will be provided with free ration during the period, according to an official release.
The department has opened a 24-hour control room in times of emergency for the fishermen. Fisheries Control Room (0484-2502768); Marine Enforcement (9496007048); Coastal Police station, Azheekode (0480-2815100); Fort Kochi (0484-2215006); Coast Guard – 0484-2218969.
The release said that traditional fishermen should take adequate precaution while venturing into the sea during this period. They should also carry the biometric identity card.
The extension of the ban period by five days compared with the previous years was in tune with the government’s policy to achieve parity with the 61-day ban in other maritime States.