Trivandrum: The Kerala government has restricted trawling for 3737 boats till July 31 and permitted for those who are using traditional boats. A special checking will be conducted for those who cross the restrictions. The boats that have gone fishing for several days returned to the harbours yesterday. Two boats have been in the water for fishing and rescue operations, and additional lifeguard coverage has also been provided.
Meanwhile, experts point out that it’s time to revise the trawling system in Kerala. The trawling has been banned for 52 days whereas; Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal have banned their trawling for 61 days.
A complete ban on trawling has been imposed in Indonesia since 1979 and in Sri Lanka since 2018. Kenya, South Africa and Bahrain have banned their trawling for four months and three months ban in Madagascar and Mozambique.
Experts are demanding that the trawling period is to be extended and implement a fish development programe and the government have to find a budget for fishermen. A limit should be set for netting small fish. There should be a strict control on the operation of fibred boats from the neighboring states, nets, fishing, and boat vessels etc. which are needed for the fishing department at this time. The fishing Operators Association has also demanded timely reform of trawling.
The ban on trawling was imposed for the breeding season of the fish. Restrictions have been imposed on the boats which are engaged with fishing using nets in the deep sea. The central government has imposed a ban on trawling in the sea beyond 12 nautical miles on June 1.
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