Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Thursday, Jun 06, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Thursday, Jun 06, 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
Agri-Biz & Commodities
-
Courts/Legal Issues Kerala HC admits petition against trawling ban Our Bureau
KOCHI, June 5 THE Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the State Government on a writ petition seeking direction not to impose trawling ban for a period of 45 days during the monsoon season. Admitting the petition, the court had given the Government 10 days to file counter affidavit. Mr Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, Secretary, Kerala State Fishing Boat Operators Association, submitted before the court that the ban was being imposed on the basis of the theory that large-scale mechanised operations should be prohibited during the monsoon, as the season is the breeding period for most varieties of fish. At the same time, traditional crafts are allowed to fish, as they use traditional nets and have very small range. This theory was put into practice on an experimental basis for a limited number of years by the Government, ostensibly for the purpose of fishery conservation. However, subsequent developments had shown clearly that this ban was only for political purposes and scientific reports in this regard were totally wrong, Mr Kalapurackal alleged. He added that in spite of this ban, the catch was going down every year. The reason for this is the destruction of fisheries by boats operating under the guise of traditional craft which are not prevented from fishing during the monsoon. According to the petitioner, the situation seems to be much better in other West coast States, as there is a total fishing holiday during the monsoon. No vessel, including mechanically powered country vessels, is permitted to operate during the period. Kerala is the only State which permits motorised country vessels with modern gear to fish during the monsoon. The monsoon ban which keeps some of the mechanised boats in the harbour during the period does not have any effect at all as far as fishing conservation is concerned, he said. This has resulted in the catch reducing in size every year, leaving the fishing industry in the State worse off compared to other West coast States. The petitioner also appealed the court to direct the State Government to issue necessary directions to implement the Central Government directive for a total fishing holiday in all West coast states during the monsoon as part of national policy. He added that imposing of a uniform ban on the West coast for 65 days from June 10 to August 15 for five years was agreed to by all States at an official meeting. Though the State Government has called for opinions from various sectors of the industry in the light of the Central Government directive, the authorities do not seem to be prepared to consider the issue on merit, he said.
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail
|
Stories in this Section |
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | Home |
Copyright © 2002, The
Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu Business Line
|