Purse-Seine boats to continue fishing using lights

Udupi: Akhila Karnataka Purse-Seine Fishermen’s Association, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, appealed to the high court on August 29, 2016, against the ban on fishing using lights in the sea. Regarding the same, the high court issued an order on January 21, stating that Purse-Seine boats may use surface lights only up to 12 nautical miles. Fishermen are permitted to continue fishing in their respective areas, subject to the aforesaid condition. Fishing should be carried out in their respective areas as per the terms and conditions of the licence issued in their favour, said sources.
Earlier, there was a huge conflict between members of the Malpe Deep Sea Trawlboat Association and the Purse-Seine Fishermen’s Association, on seeking a ban on fishing using lights by Purse-Seine boats off the Malpe coast, as fishermen using other methods to carry out fishing are put at a disadvantage. Due to this, fishing using lights was banned here for many months.