KOZHIKODE: The expert committee appointed by the State Government to study the issues related to the ban on trawling will submit its report on April 25.

This was stated by K. Prasad Chandra Pillai, additional director, Fisheries, who is also the convener of the expert committee, and T.M. Sankaran, committee member, in Kozhikode on Tuesday.

The expert committee took evidence at a sitting held at the office of the joint director of Fisheries in Kozhikode. It had earlier held sittings in Ernakulam and Kollam.

Mr. Prasad Chandra said besides examining scientific aspects of imposing a ban on trawling, it was also the responsibility of the panel to examine social aspects of banning the use of trawlers for fishing.

The panel would also review the findings of earlier committees which had studied the issue and examine the problems that fishermen face on account of the ban.

The expert panel was formed six months ago. It has seven sub-committees.

A common demand heard at the sittings was for dropping the decision to extend the trawling ban from 45 to 67 days. The proposal for a total ban on fishing was also strongly opposed. Apprehensions were also voiced that the ban on using engines of more than 10 hp capacity in boats would have an adverse effect on traditional fishermen.

A uniform ban on trawling was also opposed since the fishing season was not the same along the coast stretching from Kerala to Gujarat, fishermen, boat owners, merchants and commission agents who have a stake in the Government decision to ban trawling during the monsoon to prevent overexploitation of marine wealth informed the panel.

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