Fishing ban in India needs to be standardised. Too many regulations by different authorities lead to error in compliances. Implementation has always been an issue. The ban must be imposed during the spawning season when the eggs are laid. Use of fishing nets below 20mm mesh size (full mesh) must be prohibited. If the ban period exceeds 60 days in a year, alternate livelihood support to fishermen must be extended by the Government.
Fishing in India is a vital economic activity and a thriving sector with varied resources and potentials. Fishing, one of the oldest occupations, gained importance considerably during the 20th Century after Independence. Its unparalleled growth has placed the country in the forefront of global fish production, only after China. Besides providing a protein-rich diet, it is a source of employment to an impressive segment of the population. India is home to more than 10% of the global fish diversity which includes marine (coastal, offshore and deep sea) and inland (rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs) fisheries.
Recognising that many marine resources are overfished and that the fishing capacity presently available jeopardises their conservation and judicious use, the Government imposes an annual ban on fishing as a precautionary approach for the long term sustainability of aquatic lives. The ban period which usually commences from April 15 and observed for a period of 45 to 47 days has been extended by the Central Government to 61 days from this year. large boats are restricted from venturing into sea for 45 days to allow fish spawning. Natural calamities like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and cyclone Hudhud have not only caused extensive damage to mechanised boats but also caused fish species to dwindle and disappear.
Ocean pollution, discharge of untreated chemicals by industries and foreign vessels and scarcity of rains.
Earlier, fishing calendar was different for different States. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala imposed a ban of 47 days. In Odisha, it was 60 days (applied since 2000), Maharashtra and Goa imposed a ban of 67 days. But aiming at conservation and an effective management of fishery resources, the States and the Centre have unanimously decided to enforce a uniform ban during the monsoon in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters in both east and west coasts for 61 days. The ban beginning in June is applicable to all types of fishing vessels.
The effectiveness of extension of fishing ban period has become a topic of debate as fishermen are deprived of their primary source of employment. The fishing fraternity is not too happy with the increase in the number of ban days or the compensation of Rs 2,000 against a demand of Rs 4,000 per head granted by the Government to the crew and staff of mechanided boats. They have locked horns over the mandatory fishing ban and asked for adequate compensation for the loss in business for two months in the ban period.
The poor fishermen feel deprived of their rights as a complete ban would take a toll on their lives. Flouting the Centre’s decision, Kerala has gone against the 61-day ban and decided to allow fishermen to continue operating till June 15, the conventional date for beginning of the mandatory annual proscription.
However, the Centre has clarified that the proposed fishing ban would not affect the traditional fishermen as it is not applicable in territorial waters. Country boats of traditional fishermen generally fish within 12 nautical miles, which forms the territorial waters that falls under the jurisdiction of a State Government. The uniform fishing ban is not applicable within the territorial waters but in the exclusive economic zone, which is beyond the territorial waters. Therefore, the livelihood of traditional fishermen would not be affected. The Government also informed that foreign fishing vessels would not be allowed to fish in Indian waters.
Favourable factors:
The primary purpose of a ban is to augment marine fish production and replenish dwindling fish stock in the waters. A timely uniform ban with a check on violations can prevent poaching by fishermen from other States and allow regeneration ofmarine resources during the breeding season.
• The ban period will offer ample time to fishers for annual maintenance of their boats. It is estimated that in the coming years, there will be a noticeable percentage increase in catch value per unit fishing effort if measures like ban and other fisheries management measures with adequate Government support are implemented correctly.
• living habitat of soft corals, sponges and numerous bottom-dwelling creatures are able to re-grow. Slow-growing fish and high-value species will be allowed to reproduce again and harmful depletion of stocks will be brought to a halt.
• Increased stability of supply and quality of seafood which provides food security.
Unfavourable factors:
Statistics show that the efficiency of fishing ban has been declining after the year 2000 and that there exists a considerable level of unemployment during the two-month ban period; the lack of sufficient Government support is one reason for their misery. The disparity arising in the income levels of fishermen during the ban and the non-ban periods is very high which makes a great difference in their livelihood. It is alleged that the exercise is futile as the coastal sea is highly polluted and the resources have been depleted due to environmental pollution.
• Inadequate compensation from Government during the lean period leaves fishermen financially vulnerable. Compensation presently provided is less than Rs 100 per day.
• A total of 17,000 mechanised crafts with engine of more than 10 hp from 591 fishing villages in 13 coastal districts in Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry and Karaikal districts, remain idle during the ban.
• The city gets only four-five tonnes of seafood every day in place of the usual 100–130 tonnes a day.
• local unavailability of fish results in soaring prices which affects seafood lovers.
• Specialised only in the particular field and lacking education, fishermen feel challenged looking for alternative employment.
• Unscrupulous or pirate fishing is responsible for low catch and massive reduction of stocks and loss off accountability.
Suggestions and measures:
Among several fisheries conservation measures, seasonal closure is an easily implementable one; however, that alone is not sufficient for sustaining marine fish stocks. New policies for the socioeconomic upliftment of labourers can be put forward after looking upon the problems they face.
• Change in the period of ban can be considered if breeding is better during a particular month. More artificial reefs and fish seedlings should be let into the sea during the ban. In Kerala, the CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute) recently suggested the ban be implemented in two phases of 30 days each.
• A strong monitoring, control and surveillance regime is needed as illegal fishing has been a matter of deep concern. It was reported that vessels of Sri lanka and other countries are fishing during the period. State encroaching into the territorial waters of neighbouring states is also hampering the ban.
• Conservation of coastal habitats by controlling pollution, prohibition of factories in coastal areas, protecting coral reefs is the need of the hour.
• Construction of more jetties of 300m length at reasonable distances, establishment of infrastructure such as roads and ice factories, dredging of bar mouth for easy access to sea, dredging harbours, providing navigation light to the harbour, openings of the rivers and restoration of canals are other suggestions.
• The daily wage of fishermen should be adequate to support family; diesel subsidy scheme should be simplified; subsidies on the fishing inputs and capital cost should be provided; training and awareness for alternative employment in related sectors should be provided.
In order to effectively implement the ban period, besides other controls, the fishing net industries must be restricted to manufacture fishing nets below 20mm mesh size (full mesh). This will allow the newly-breeding stocks from being trapped in the nets. Generally in developed nations, they restrict use of fishing nets less than 18mm (full mesh).
Since creation of this earth, men have been deriving their most nutritious food from the marine resources. It is our foremost duty to preserve and allow growth of such resources for the benefit of mankind.
(The writer is working chairperson, Entrepreneurs & Finance Customers Association of India-EFCAI. Email: - efcai12@gmail.com)