Kerala bans mechanised fishing during monsoon

The ban on mechanised fishing in the high seas off the Kerala coast during the monsoon season came into force on Friday.

Vizhinjam Harbour (Kerala), June 15 : The ban on mechanised fishing in the high seas off the Kerala coast during the monsoon season came into force on Friday.

The annual ban by the Union Agriculture Ministry bars trawling by all deep-sea fishing vessels in the exclusive economic zone in the west coast from June 15 to July 31.

Studies reveal that the ban, imposed in Kerala since 1989, has helped improving the fish stock, which faced depletion due to unrestricted trawling during the breeding season a decade ago.

Around 5,000 workers in the state, however, lament loss of income for owners and the crew in the wake of the ban.

"We would be really hard pressed during the ban. I have to look after six of my brothers...It would be very difficult to make ends meet. The government has to do something," said Tom, a fisherman.

A few, however, feel the ban helps in protecting the marine wealth.

"I am fine with the ban. Without ban, the fish population can drastically go down. The future generations might not get any fish. And I don't think the present weather is good or safe for fishing," said Shakti, a trawler owner.

Several coastal states followed the Kerala model and now impose a ban on mechanized fishing during the rainy season to protect the marine wealth off their coasts.

ANI