A suggestion that the annual ban on trawling during the monsoon season should be extended to 90 days in two phases to cover the two rainy seasons in the State has drawn sharp differences of opinion among fishers in the State.
The suggestion came up at a meeting of traditional fishermen convened by the Fisheries Department in the State capital on May 2. While government appears to be wanting to stick to the annual 47-day ban, a practice since 1994, it was Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedhi that proposed extending the ban period substantially and phasing it out in two legs. Of these 90 days, the first 45-day ban should be between June and July and the second phase between October and November, said convenor of the Aikya Vedhi Charles George.
However, Kerala Swathanthra Matsyathozhilali Federation’s V.D. Majeendran said the Federation too supported a 90-day ban but wanted it to be in one stretch over the months of June, July and August. “Traditional fishermen are more concerned about their livelihood,” he said, supporting the call for extended ban trawling during the monsoon season.
A Fisheries Department official said a decision on the duration of nature of the ban would be taken only after the department meets mechanised boat operators later this month. He dismissed a suggestion that the government planned to go in for a 60-day ban on monsoon season trawling. The State government had, in view of the early setting in of the monsoon last year, declared the ban five days earlier than usual, extending the ban to 52 days from the normal 45 days.
Mr. George claimed that his demand was based on facts that species like squids and cuttle fish spawned during the October-November period. He also said among the States, Kerala had the shortest trawling ban period in India and that extended ban was needed or the State would see a collapse in fisheries in the near future.
Mr. Majeendran said that for traditional fishers, it was both a social and economic question and the government must address their concerns when taking a decision.