Karnataka: Ministry of fisheries rejigs order on uniform fishing ban due to lockdown

MANGALURU: Ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying has altered its order of imposing a uniform ban on fisheries in the Indian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters – both on the east and west coast of the country. A decision to this effect has been taken in view of the restrictions in marine fishing activities for 17-days from March 24 to April 10 in view of the lockdown imposed across India.
The ministry, in consultation with experts and the coastal states and Union territories and in view of the interests of the fishermen, has decided to supersede its order dated March 20 to impose the uniform ban. The new ban period along the east coast will now be from April 15 to May 31 and along the west coast from June 15 to July 31. Both these ban on fishing activities along the two coasts will be for a uniform period of 47 days.
The traditional non-motorized units will be exempted from this uniform fishing ban imposed in Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters, an order from assistant commissioner (fisheries) Sanjay Pandey said, adding the amendment in the period of uniform fishing will be applicable only for current year. Welcoming the new ban period, minister for fisheries Kota Shrinivas Poojari said, extending the fishing period up to June 14 will help the traditional fishermen.
In a related development, IMD has warned of a likely development of a low-pressure area over south-east and adjoining east central Arabian Sea and advised fishermen to avoid deep sea fishing activity over the region from May 31 to June 4. Indian Coast Guard district headquarters and three authorities in Panambur have requested boats already at sea to return to harbour prior to onset of monsoons and adhere to implementation of uniform fishing ban.