‘We’re Not Using LED, but Metal Halide Lights for Fishing’- Purse Seine Fishermen Sangha
Udupi: “We are not using LED lights for fishing but only metal halide lights that are not banned as per the orders. The court has also directed the authorities that the petitioner shall be permitted to continue fishing operations in their respective areas as per the terms
and conditions of the license issued in their favour” said Ramesh Kundar secretary of Akhila Karnatka Purse Seine fishermen Sangha- Malpe
Addressing the press meet he said that the High Court of Karnataka passed an order permitting the Akhila Karnataka Perse-seine fishermen Sangha in a writ petition to carry out their fishing operations as per their License without affecting the conditions imposed in order dated 10-1-2017 by Government of India till next date of hearing which was on 21-12-2018. Later the High court modified the said order on 21-01-2019 and directed the petitioners to comply with the conditions imposed as per the official memorandum dated 29-08-2016 and were permitted to continue fishing operations in their respective areas as
per the terms and conditions of the License issued in their favour. As per the official memorandum dated 29-08-2016 Clause under water light should not be permitted and only surface lights should be allowed.
In view of the aforesaid submissions and in the facts of the case, ad-interim order dated 28-12-2018 passed by a Bench of the court has been modified and it is directed that in case the petitioners comply with all the conditions in the memorandum dated 29-08-2016 and if the petitioners undertake to use surface lights only beyond 12 nautical miles, the petitioners shall be permitted to continue fishing operations in their respective areas as per the terms and conditions of the license issued in their favour.
Now on an application by the respondents High court further Modified the order on 06-02-2019 and directed the authorities to permit the petitioner to carry out their fishing operations in their respective areas as per the terms and conditions imposed as per license and order dated 10-01-2017 issued by Government of India.
Kundar further said that as per the above said orders, Petitioners shall be permitted of carry out their fishing operations by fulfilling the conditions and use of LED lights are prohibited. We are not using the LEDI lights in the fishing operations and we are using only metal halide lights and the said lights are not banned as per the above orders and also court directed the authority that the petitioner shall be permitted to continue fishing operations in their respective areas as per the terms and conditions of license issued in their favour.
“When all the above said orders and notifications are very clear that use of LED lights ( submerged LED or surface), LED are not permitted and were are not using the same and we shall be permitted to continue fishing operations by using only metal halide lights and also assure that we will not use LED lights, Submerged LED or surface LED, as per the order of the court on various dates by following the conditions imposed on License and a per official memorandum date 29-08-2016 and order date 10-11-2017. The Sangha has demanded the authority to permit to continue fishing operations on the court orders” added Kundar. .
