Country boat fishermen in Malpe demand 90-day ban on monsoon trawling

Country boat fishermen in Malpe demand 90-day ban on monsoon trawling

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Dec 10, 2013 : “The Malpe Country Boat Fishermen’s Association  has demanded extension of monsoon trawling ban to 90 days instead of 52 –day ban.”said  Janardan Thingalaya, president, of the association during a media briefing

“Earlier the ban was applicable for 90 days and during later year the ban was reduced to 52 days. 

The trawling ban had been imposed to facilitate natural breeding of the fish. During the ban period only country boat fishermen using country boats are exempted. However in recent years the ban period is being reduced and trawling is being encouraged. This is causing great harm to the young fish as well as hindering the breeding process,”Thingalaya said.

“Country boat fishermen don’t face any problems due to per seine fishing. But Bull trawling is causing lot of problems to traditional fishermen and others. Bull trawlers go for huge catch of fish at a single point of time, due to which traditional fishermen are incurring huge losses. Bull Trawling should be banned, a meeting with fishermen should be convened soon to discuss this matter,” he demanded.

“The only reason why traditional fishermen are using outboard engine is to reach to the shores safely and not for any other activities. Thus the allegation made on traditional fishermen is baseless. The traditional fishermen were not involved in any controversy but the per seine and bull trawlers who are up in arms in against each other are creating controversy. If baseless allegations continued to be leveled on traditional fishermen then we will not think twice to hold severe protests,”Thingalaya warned.

Sadashiv Kanchan, secretary, Harish Thingalaya, Shivaram Puthran and others were present.