Comments
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has recommended guidelines for fishing using lights on Indian waters. This comes against the backdrop of conflict between traditional fisherfolk and operators of light fishing units on this age-old fishing method, which is widely practised in the Asia-Pacific.
CMFRI’s Marine Fisheries Policy brief denies permission for light fishing within territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles) to safeguard the interests of traditional fishers, prevent conflicts, and protect coastal fish stocks.
While allowing light fishing outside territorial waters, the brief lays down certain conditions. It restricts the number of fishing vessels; regulates the power of lights used on board; and limits the number of days of purse-seine light fishing operations in a month.
The Policy has recommended banning the practice in April-May, when mackerels — which form a good percentage of catches in light purse-seines — spawn or prepare for it. It also calls for close monitoring of light fishing operations by the enforcement wing of maritime States.
The policy report, prepared by K Sunil Mohamed, Principal Scientist, Molluscan Fisheries Division, CMFRI, also points out that widespread use of lights in purse-seine fishing in Goa and Karnataka has led to conflicts between traditional fisher groups and the operators of light fishing units.
The traditional fishers argue that using light fishing will affect the marine ecology of the region due to excessive capture of large spawning adults. The protests have forced the Goa government to ban the use of LED and other light attractants in fishing practices within its territorial waters. There is also growing resentment in Karnataka against the practice, especially since it tends to catch high-value fishes.
This method has come into vogue at a time when the overall marine catches along the south-west coast has declined by 17 per cent and that in Goa by a steep 55 per cent, mainly due to the decline in oil sardine catches, the mainstay of traditional fishers.
Rather than an outright ban, it is egalitarian and reasonable if a regulated fisheries management regime is introduced, says the CMFRI brief. The regulatory regimes implemented by Japan and Korea are good examples in this regard, it adds.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.