The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Fishing ban fizzles out

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 18, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Fishing ban fizzles out

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: The fishing ban imposed by the Ministry of Agriculture is not being enforced properly as the State Fisheries Department failed to issue GO on the annual conservation drive being observed during April 16-May 31.

The problem has arisen only with regard to mechanised boat operators as the deep-sea fishing trawlers are strictly observing the ban in the east coast. The Coast Guards have already issued a circular that it is the responsibility of the State Government to enforce the ban The drive has been on since 1999 with police protection. Unions consented not to fish for shrimp during breeding season.

Awaiting response

The Fisheries Department is awaiting response from the authorities on its representation to relax the ban this year as the fishermen suffered heavy damage in the aftermath of tsunami. When contacted, the in-charge Joint Director of Fisheries, Sivarama Reddy, said they were waiting for orders from the higher officials after which a GO might be issued.

Unity among the boat operators too is under threat.

While the boat owners belonging to the Dolphin Boat Owners' Welfare Association has asked its members not to venture into the sea, the Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Boat Operators Welfare Association has declared that there was no ban in the absence of a Governmen Order from the State Fisheries Department.

Sources said 10 per cent of the boats were venturing into Orissa's coast facing threat of seizure from patrolling personnel.

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