Fishing ban in west coast of Kumari from today

To boost marine stock, the central government with the help of the state government is implementing the fishing ban on the eastern and western coasts in two different phases. On the eastern coast, the ban is implemented between April 14 to June 14 and on the western coast, from June 1 to July 31.

As far as Kanniyakumari district is concerned, in the first phase, only four coastal hamlets are covered, but in the second, 39 such villages are covered. More than 10,000 mechanised boats would also be moored at the coast during this period.

In the meantime, fishermen in Rameswaram, on the east coast, are preparing to venture into the sea. The fishermen utilised the ban period to repair their boats and nets. The boats have been painted and faults rectified.

Manikandan, Assistant Director (Fisheries), at Rameswaram, said the ban on fishing would end by June 14 and the fishermen can resume fishing the next day. However, June 15 will be a Friday and is a holiday for fishermen. So, the permit for fishing will be issued on the morning of June 16, said Manikandan.

Fishermen said Rs 5,000 compensation given to them during the fishing ban period is not enough and demanded that the state and the central governments hike it.

Sahayam, President, Mechanised Boat Owners Association, Rameswaram, said the fishing ban period was increased from 45 days to 61 days, but the compensation amount remained the same.

When the ban period was 45 days, they had demanded an increase in compensation to Rs 10,000 and now, for 61 days, they need at least Rs 12,000 to manage their families.

Because of the lesser compensation, they go to Kerala during the ban period and work to compensate the losses, said Sahayam.