Date:17/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/17/stories/2006081707650300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Plea to exempt traditional boats from trawling ban

Staff Reporter

Fishermen to approach Supreme Court

Union seeks amendment to Kerala Marine Fisheries Regulation Act

Plea to bring all traditional boats under Matsyafed

ALAPPUZHA: The Union and State Governments should make legislation to exempt all traditional fishing boats fitted with inboard and outboard engines from the trawling ban, Kerala Traditional Fishermen Union (KTFU) convener and Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha general secretary V. Dinakaran said on Wednesday.

The KTFU, which was formed at a meeting of the traditional fishermen here on Monday, would approach the Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court order covering traditional boats fitted with engines in the ban on trawling by big mechanised boats, Mr. Dinakaran said.

The Government should amend the Kerala Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (KMFRI) to exempt boats which did surface fishing from the ban, he told a press conference here.

All traditional boats fitted with outboard and inboard engines should be given registration as per the fisheries sector development and conservation policy of 2004.

All motorised and non-motorised traditional boats should be brought under the control of the Matsyafed.

Mr. Dinakaran demanded that subsidy on diesel given by the Government to big motorboats be extended to the traditional boats fitted with inboard diesel engines.