The two month long trawling ban on the high seas - ordered by the government of India - was supposed to have kicked into force with effect from today. As I understand, the following are the important facets of the ban:-
(a) The ban extends from 01 Jun to 31 Jul. The Kerala government insists that the ban should be
only for 47 days!
(b) Fishing activities by the mechanised boats are not permitted during the period.
(c) However, fishermen, using traditional boats/dhows that aren't mechanised are permitted to
do fishing up to the limit of 12 nautical miles from the coast - in other words, within the
territorial waters!
It's amusing to go through the reasons for the differing perceptions between the central and the state governments on account of the trawling ban:-
(a) The state is due for the Assembly polls next year.
(b) Each vote is essential for securing a win in the elections and there's a sizeable population of
the fishing community spread along the entire coastal stretch of the state that cannot be
ignored.
(c) The trawling ban has been imposed by the central government which is of a different political
hue and hence, gives great publicity to the state government when it defies it!
And there's a paradox here. The months from May to August encompass the breeding season of the fish and as a rule, fishing is not advised during the period. The absence of fishing activity will rejuvenate the resources and end up in enhanced yields, eventually. If one were to query a die hard fisherman, he'll also tell you that eating fish during the period can invite digestive problems! In addition, it's safe for the fishermen to stay indoors because of choppy seas and whipping monsoons!!
Recent statistics on the availability of fish in our coasts point to almost a 35% reduction from the past and it calls for serious introspection! In other words, playing politics should be the last option and anyways, what does a difference of 14 days make?
Moreover, who benefits from the reduction in the number of days of trawling ban? Obviously, the mechanised boat owners and the very fact that they own them is an indicator of their affluence! The poor fisherman and their traditional boats be damned!!
And who're the people who come under tremendous pressure when the defiant fishermen embark on fishing - the trawling ban notwithstanding - and venture out into the deep seas? The Indian Coast Guard and the coastal police. I pity their plight!
And yes, one can brace up for juicy details(?) of the 'Coast Guard's high handedness' splashed all over by the media in the coming days!
Tailpiece.
(a) Rahul Gandhi's gimmickry, last week on coastal Kerala. was part of an ill advised suggestion from his local party leaders hungry for instant publicity!
(b) I'm reminded of an elderly person who'd told me long ago that he avoided eating fish during the calendar months that did not have the letter 'r' in it viz. May to August. Now, does that ring a bell?
PS.
And what about the numerous foreign trawlers who come and fish in our exclusive economic zone? Do we've the wherewithal for effective and continuous surveillance of that vast area?
(a) The ban extends from 01 Jun to 31 Jul. The Kerala government insists that the ban should be
only for 47 days!
(b) Fishing activities by the mechanised boats are not permitted during the period.
(c) However, fishermen, using traditional boats/dhows that aren't mechanised are permitted to
do fishing up to the limit of 12 nautical miles from the coast - in other words, within the
territorial waters!
It's amusing to go through the reasons for the differing perceptions between the central and the state governments on account of the trawling ban:-
(a) The state is due for the Assembly polls next year.
(b) Each vote is essential for securing a win in the elections and there's a sizeable population of
the fishing community spread along the entire coastal stretch of the state that cannot be
ignored.
(c) The trawling ban has been imposed by the central government which is of a different political
hue and hence, gives great publicity to the state government when it defies it!
And there's a paradox here. The months from May to August encompass the breeding season of the fish and as a rule, fishing is not advised during the period. The absence of fishing activity will rejuvenate the resources and end up in enhanced yields, eventually. If one were to query a die hard fisherman, he'll also tell you that eating fish during the period can invite digestive problems! In addition, it's safe for the fishermen to stay indoors because of choppy seas and whipping monsoons!!
Recent statistics on the availability of fish in our coasts point to almost a 35% reduction from the past and it calls for serious introspection! In other words, playing politics should be the last option and anyways, what does a difference of 14 days make?
Moreover, who benefits from the reduction in the number of days of trawling ban? Obviously, the mechanised boat owners and the very fact that they own them is an indicator of their affluence! The poor fisherman and their traditional boats be damned!!
And who're the people who come under tremendous pressure when the defiant fishermen embark on fishing - the trawling ban notwithstanding - and venture out into the deep seas? The Indian Coast Guard and the coastal police. I pity their plight!
And yes, one can brace up for juicy details(?) of the 'Coast Guard's high handedness' splashed all over by the media in the coming days!
Tailpiece.
(a) Rahul Gandhi's gimmickry, last week on coastal Kerala. was part of an ill advised suggestion from his local party leaders hungry for instant publicity!
(b) I'm reminded of an elderly person who'd told me long ago that he avoided eating fish during the calendar months that did not have the letter 'r' in it viz. May to August. Now, does that ring a bell?
PS.
And what about the numerous foreign trawlers who come and fish in our exclusive economic zone? Do we've the wherewithal for effective and continuous surveillance of that vast area?
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