KOLLAM: Destructive fishing practices by traditional fishermen in the coasts of Kollam are still prevalent despite trawling ban. Juvenile fish is being caught in large quantities by traditional fishermen using ring seine fishing nets having mesh size below 10 mm. These fishermen go scot-free as the authorities target trawling boats.
The fishing harbours including Neendakara and Vadi in Kollam are seen flooded with juvenile fishes netted out by traditional fishing vessels. These juvenile fish are meant to be transported to neighbouring states for producing poultry feed and fertilisers.
“Trawling ban exists in West Coast of the country starting from Gujarat and covers all coastal states. All fishing vessels above 10 hp have been banned in all states except Kerala during trawling ban, while in Kerala it is applicable only to mechanised boats,” Peter Mathias, boat owners association state president told DC. “There are some 38,000 vessels registered across Kerala, of which only 3,800 are mechanised vessels. The ban is thus applicable only to this 3,800 boats,” he added.
There are large inboard engine vessels (kappal vallam) having a capacity of 250-500 hp vessels which are equivalent to trawling boats out in the sea during the ban season. These boats use ring seine fishing nets having a capacity of covering vast area to the tune of a few kilometres in the sea, netting out juvenile fish. The trawling ban in Kerala is not at all effective with just banning boats having capacity above 10 hp.
