Prices to soar as fishing ban comes into force

Chennai

The annual ban was enforced by the district administration through the fisheries department to facilitate breeding of fishes and conservation of fish stock in marine ecology. As mandated by the Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, 1983, the ban is enforced for “conservation of species propagation” during the breeding season. The ban would end on the midnight of May 29.

More than 10,000 mechanised boats from about 500 villages across the 15 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will keep off the sea during the period. Any violation will attract a penalty under Section 5 of the Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, 1983.

The officials have instructed mechanised boats fishermen not to venture into the sea to avoid disturbance caused by trawlers to marine life during the breeding season.

However, the ban would not apply to fishermen using country boats or fibre boats for fishing.

The fishermen would utilise the ban period to mend their nets and take up overhauling works of their boats. Overhauling of engines, dry docking, carpentry works and painting of vessels would be carried out during the ban period for which the boat owners would spend around Rs 2 lakh to 5 lakh every year. With a view to enforcing the ban strictly, enforcement agencies would be involved in joint patrolling.

Meanwhile, the prices of fish were expected to shoot up in view of the ban. Members of the Fish Market Traders’ Association said about 12,000 mechanised fishing boats would be anchored off Rameswaram coast during the ban period and the arrival of fish to the market would come down to 25 tonnes from the present 100-150 tonnes per day.

The mechanised boat fishermen have meanwhile appealed to the government to enhance the financial assistance given to fishermen during the ban period.

Various fishermen’s organisations want shifting of the ban period from April-May to October-November-December, during the northeast monsoon. They say most of the fish netted during the rains contain roe (eggs). The sea is also very turbulent and it would be more prudent for the fishermen not to venture into the sea during that period.