The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government decision on trawling ban evokes mixed response

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government decision on trawling ban evokes mixed response

K.S. Sudhi

New panel told to study impacts of the new fishing practices in the State

TURBULENT TIMES: The State Government has decided to conduct an impact assessment study on monsoon trawling ban. A decision on the ban during this monsoon is expected to be announced next week. Photo: H. Vibhu

KOCHI : Ban on monsoon trawling always court controversies. The latest in the series is the State Government decision to conduct a study on the impact of the ban.

While the State Government has announced fresh set of mandate in addition to the impact assessment for the committee, the decision has evoked mixed reaction from various stakeholders of the sector.

According to sources close to the Fisheries Ministry, the mandate of the proposed committee is in tune with the changes that are taking place in the global fisheries sector. The new committee has been asked to study the impacts of the new fishing practices that have emerged in the State.

Since the first announcement of the ban 18 years ago, the fishing practices have changed tremendously. Now the thrust is on evolving effort-based management measures in the fisheries sector, experts said.

A study on the increase in fish production with due thrust on conservation of fishery resources is one of the task assigned to the proposed committee. It has also been asked to look into the practical issues involved in going for a uniform trawl ban along the West Coast.

When it comes to the assessment of impacts of the ban, barring a few attempts, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of the ban, pointed out fisheries experts.

Incidentally, the Balakrishnan Nair Committee, which recommended the imposition of the monsoon trawl ban in 1988 had recommended that its impact be studied after three years of observance of the ban during monsoon season.

The boat owners and a section of the fish workers, who are always at loggerheads, are united when it comes to opposing the proposed impact assessment study, but for different reasons.

Charles George, president of the Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedi (TUCI), said the decision to announce a trawl ban impact assessment study was a result of the conspiracy hatched by the boat owners to sabotage the ban. As study after study had proved that the ban has been effective in conserving the fish wealth, there is no need for a fresh study. Any attempt to sabotage the ban would be resisted, he said.

Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, general secretary of the Kerala State Fishing Boat Operators Association, is also of the view that there need not be another study to assess the impact of the ban as the "it has not succeeded in increasing the fish wealth."

The arguments of the scientists that the ban has resulted in the increase of fish wealth are baseless as there has been a heavy crunch in fish resources. Fishing operations have become extremely unviable during the last six months, as boats are not getting enough catch, he said.

The Government should go in for a management study for the sustainable use of fishery resources and attempts for creating value-added fish products should be undertaken, said Mr. Kalapurackal.

At the same time, K.J. Antony, district president of the Matsya Thozhilali Union (CITU), justified the Government decision.

An impact assessment study is required considering the tremendous changes that had taken place in the fisheries sector since the announcement of the first ban. New issues are plaguing the fisheries sector and the fish wealth of the State is fast dwindling.

This has also made life miserable for fishermen in 10 districts of the State.

Hence a study was necessary to overcome the present crisis, Mr. Antony said.

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