Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Dwindling fish stock worries coast

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is a period of poverty and deprivation in the coastal villages of the State.

Heavy depletion of fish stocks has pushed thousands of families to the brink of starvation, according to the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF). “It is unprecedented,” says T. Peter, State president, KSMTF. “Most of the common varieties of fish that are available at this time of the year have disappeared,” he says.

The federation feels that the operation of foreign trawlers is to blame for the scarcity of fish. “The Central government has permitted 50 Indonesian trawlers to operate from Munambam for tuna fishing. These trawlers operate in the coastal waters where traditional fishermen net most of their catch,” points out Mr. Peter.

The federation has urged the State and Central governments to deny permission for foreign trawlers to operate in the coastal areas of Kerala.

KSMTF district president Valerian Isaac and secretary Anto Elias also called on the Kerala government to issue kerosene permits for all outboard engines and to enhance the quota of kerosene.

A press note quoting them alleged that a section of officials in the Civil Supplies Corporation was choking the supply of kerosene to the fisheries sector.

The federation has threatened to launch an agitation to press for its demands.

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