‘Ban Juvenile Fishing and Destructive Fishing Ways’- National Fishworkers Forum
Mangaluru: As fish stocks decrease, destructive fishing methods become increasingly extreme. Destructive fishing practises devastate the marine environment. When fishing techniques have been universally recognized as destructive, the only solution is to ban them. Anyone continuing to use these techniques must be severely punished. National legislation’s have identified and banned many of these practises. However, the temptation to break the law is very high both for factory ships on the hunt for huge profits and small-scale fishermen facing reduced fish stocks. Clearly, the larger and better-equipped the boats, the more devastating the impact of illegal fishing techniques.
In order to bring awareness on such fishing methods and also to send a strong message to concerned authorities, members of National Fish workers Forum held a press meet at Mangalore Press Club to put forth demands related to their livelihood; and they vowed to intensify the movement against anti-fish workers development policies. Addressing the media persons, Narendra R Patil (Delhi)-Chairperson of The National Fish workers Forum (NFF) said, “NFF is the federation of state level trade unions of India , you are well aware of the fact that there are 13 states including union Territories namely –West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Diu Daman, Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands on the coastal area of our Nation and they are surrounded by seas at a stretch about 8118 km in length.”
“On behalf of NFF we are thankful for the govt their concerns to the fishermen of India and we are very grateful and thankful for their initiative to Ban destructive gears like Bull or pair trawling and use of LED lights equipped with or with generator in Indian Exclusive Zone (EEZ), but however the implementation to ban of such destructive gears has failed to a great extent. The use of destructive gears like Bull or pair trawling and use of LED lights equipped with or with generator will completely displace the fisherman of India and also the people of India will suffer as fish assumes greater significance to the people of India and it is an integral part of Indian life and culture as it forms one of the most important items of the food for the coastal States of India. Agriculture & farmers welfare department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & fisheries banning the use of Bull or pair trawling and use of LED lights equipped with a generator in the Indian Exclusive Zone (EEZ). But sadly rampant violation is continued in territorial waters and Indian Exclusive Zone(EEZ)” added Patil.
However when we met the Commander of the coast guard of respective states it was observed that the coast guard did not have any power to impound this illegal boats/trawlers using Led lights or bull/ pair trawling as the order states that they can only “prevent” but has given no power of search and seizure like given in “The maritime zone of India (regulation of fishing by foreign Vessels) Acts, 1981”.
T Peter (Kerala)-General Secretary of NFF said, “Due to this confusion the respective fisheries departments cannot impound the illegal boats or this destructive gears as they are not equipped with proper patrolling vessels and due to this violation is continued in territorial waters and Indian Exclusive Zone(EEZ). The LED lights used are of mostly 1600 watts up to 5000 watts which are powered by additional genset/generator, which attracts fish up to from 5km and due to the intense heat generated by the lights the juvenile fish along will all corals and marine vegetation get destroyed.”
Peter further said, “The Several species of diurnal and nocturnal fish habitat will be destroyed as the Diurnal fishes (those fishes that are active during the day) are adapted to avoid diurnal predators, but at night, they hide themselves away and tend to sleep deeply, even having evolved defenses to prevent nocturnally (those that are most active during the night) predators from detecting their scent. As such the use of LED lights will totally destroy ecology and the fish will get totally extinct as the LED lights will completely destroy their nursing grounds of several species of fish.”
Olencio Simoes- Gen. Secretary of GRE, AGFU and VP of NFF said, “Therefore we request the Ministry of Agriculture & farmers welfare department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & fisheries to intervene and amend the order number F. No. 21001/3/2014-FY(Ind) dated 10th November 2017 banning the use of LED lights, Pair and Bull trawling, in the matter and take necessary action to impound the use of LED lights with genset/generators. Ban the use of destructive fishing methods including fishing gear, engine capacities and their related combinations; Implement the ban on the catching of juvenile fish; Consult Small-scale and traditional fish workers on all negotiations relating the fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.”
He further continued saying, “Ensure that only complete Coastal Zone Management Plans, as per the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011, are implemented. This must be done in consultation with the fish workers. In addition, retract incomplete Coastal Zone Management Plans released thus far in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra; Form a dedicated Ministry of Fisheries at the centre; Clarify the details of the fisheries budget allocation under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Investment Development Fund (FAIDF) as per the Central Budget 2018-19; and Withdraw the Sagarmala program as per details in the National Perspective Plan.” K Allaya (Maharashtra) and Vasudev Boloor (Mangaluru), both Vice Chairman respectively of NFF were also present at the press meet.
About National Fishworkers Forum (NFF):
The NFF, registered under the Trade Union Act of India, is the only national federation of state-level small and traditional fish workers’ unions of India. NFF fights to protect the life and livelihood of the fishing communities and its basic source – fisheries resources, biodiversity and natural environment. (http://www.nffindia.org/)
About The World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP):
WFFP is a mass-based social movement of small-scale fisher people from across the world, founded on 21 November 1997 in New Delhi, India, by a number of mass-based organizations from the Global South. (http://worldfishers.org/). NFF, as a major partner, is associated with the international movement of the fishing communities led by World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP).
