Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Drive against use of explosives

Staff Reporter

A threat to peace between traditional fishermen in the region

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district administration has warned of strict action against those who use explosives for fishing at sea.

The use of locally made depth charges fashioned from gelignite sticks, "thotta", is rampant in the communally sensitive coastal area of Vizhinjam. According to officials, the illegal practice is threatening to upset the fragile peace between traditional fishermen in the region.

District Collector N. Ayyappan said the Government will confiscate the boats, nets, and catch of those who use thotta for fishing. He said video cameras would be used to identify those who habitually resort to the illegal practice.

Circle Inspector, Vizhinjam T. Ajith Kumar said the practice of using thotta was nearly 40 years old in the area. A small section of fishermen in Vizhinjam were resorting to this method of fishing. The depth charges are sourced from Tamil Nadu and smuggled in boats to Vizhinjam, he said.

The practice of using country-bombs for fishing is a major threat to the fragile marine ecology of Vizhinjam. The unsustainable fishing practice has been identified as the main reason for the indiscriminate destruction of submarine reefs, which are the natural sanctuaries and hatcheries for fish.

The explosions destroy eggs and fries in the reefs.

Though hundreds of fish are killed in an underwater explosion, it is possible to scoop up only a small fraction of the catch.

A large section of fishermen in Vizhinjam view the use of thotta as a direct threat to their livelihood and any confrontation over its illegal use is quick to assume a communal colour, a police official said.

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