Maritime conflict threatens fisheries

Pandurang Bhabal

Currently, the entire fishing business seems to be in a quandary as the local and foreign, as well as traditional and Persian net holders' conflicts are raging in Konkan. Last year, Indian fish exports increased by 12 percent. We were successful in crossing the $4.7 billion target. But, unfortunately this year due to the fish drought situation in the sea, this business is in jeopardy! As a result, the $6 billion target seems unlikely to be met. Similarly, the export volume of ice fish and dried fish also seems to have decreased. Of course, despite the increase in demand in countries like America, Europe and South-East Asia, the goal is still far away. The reason for all this is the lack of fish and the fishermen's struggles, combined with the erratic weather. In the seas off ​​Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri, a fish drought looms large. In the last phase of pre-monsoon, the fisherman - the king of the sea - is currently having to face the changing weather and fishermen are extremely frustrated as they are not getting any fish in their nets. In addition, due to unseasonal rains and stormy winds, it is expensive for the boats that have gone to the deep sea to return to the shore, and they have to bear financial losses due to wastage of fuel. Although it is the tourist season at present, due to the fish drought, the prices of fish are high, so the hoteliers are failing to provide for their fish-loving guests. Due to the fish drought conditions in the sea for the past month, the fisherman is in a quandary about how to manage the fuel i.e. kerosene and diesel, as well as the salary of the sailors and the household. Since Malvan, Devgad, Vengurla in Sindhudurg as well as Harnai, Dabhol, Dapoli and Jaigad-Musakaji in Ratnagiri are in this drought condition,the fish production has drastically decreased. The direction of the changing winds is the reason for this, and according to experts, the reason for this rise in drought is that the number of fish in the sea have decreased.

Recently, due to the frequent violation of the maritime boundaries in Raigad, Thane along with Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, the maritime conflict seems to be intensifying. In fact, such an environment is detrimental to fisheries, and a solution should be found as soon as possible because this matter is serious in terms of maritime security of the country. There is a risk of separatists taking advantage of it. The dispute between the local traditional and Persian net owners here has become a 'sea-war' in Devgad, Jaigad and Malvan due to the increase in the intrusion of foreign fishing boats. Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa fishermen have faced a crisis due to the outbreak of encroachment on the maritime boundaries of the Konkan coast. In the struggle for survival, the fisherman should be able to survive too. His livelihood should be considered too.

It is good that at present the government has decided to fix the issue by assigning specific color stripes to the boats in each division. This will make it easier for the Coast Guard and government personnel on patrol boats to identify who is local and who is foreign.

Currently, a dispute has erupted between ONGC and traditional fishermen in Raigad, and a few days ago there was a strong conflict between fishermen in Satpati and Dahanu. understands Therefore, the problem of infiltration of fishermen from foreign states seems to have become very complex. The fishermen of Harnai, Malvan have decided to unite and fight as the government's Fisheries Department has collapsed due to the intrusion of the business. Boats and their sailors are being damaged by outside attacks on ships; Throwing burning kerosene balls, stone pelting and throwing bullets are causing injuries. In many places, fishing within 15 waavs forces the local fishermen to return to the shore with a wave of their hands. Some fishermen have caught such illegal boats and brought them ashore and handed them over to the Tehsildar and Fisheries Department staff. But, as they are released only after taking financial action, this has become a routine matter.

Police, Fisheries Commissioner are all desperate, no concrete action is taken, no interest of local fishermen is served, this is the great tragedy of the fisherman, he has no idea when the 'good days' will come. The government gives compensation to the farmers; But. Fishermen in Konkan do not get the benefit of many facilities. Often, due to delay in repaying the loans of the fisherfolk society, the interest piles up; But since there is no fishing here, the fisherman misses the government's support. He has to “face” many difficulties, including unpredictable weather.

Coastal pollution, silt in the port, delayed compensation for diesel, shortage of jetties, toilets at auction jetties, abundant water, lighting, coolers for fishermen, rehabilitation of fishing boats, employment opportunities for fishermen, insurance cover for fishermen, registration of fishing boats with government office, subsidies for color coding- such issues persist and should be completed on priority, as since the updated systems for predicting rain and storms are still not working, fishermen have no choice but to risk their lives.

Recently, due to the closure of the wholesale fish markets in Goa to the fish traders in Maharashtra, the fishermen have suffered a huge financial loss in only a few days, which ought to make the government sit up and think. As it is inevitable that the Chief Ministers of Goa and Maharashtra should consider this on a war footing and take a solid decision, a fishing ban has been called for in the district. So if the fisherman is in trouble - the only option left to him is to commit suicide like the peasants!

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We will solve the problems of fishermen

Chief Minister's assurance to the Koli Federation

14 July 2015

Mumbai, 13th: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today assured that he will soon hold a comprehensive meeting with the delegation of the Koli Federation to resolve the fishermen's issues that have been pending for many years.

A delegation led by Rameshdada Patil, president of Koli Federation, an apex organization of fishermen, and in the presence of Mumbai BJP President MLA Ashish Shelar, met the Chief Minister at his residence 'Varsha'.

While discussing with the Chief Minister, Rameshdada Patil said that the Koli Federation has an objection regarding the caste verification committee. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, has given reservation to the Koli community as per constitution. But among the employees of Koli community who are in service, some of them have been inducted into government service from Scheduled Tribe category and others by creating a Special Backward Category as per a government circular. There is still no clarity in which category the Koli community should be included. The fight for the inclusion of the Koli community in the Scheduled Tribes has been going on for years.

If both the governments take a positive decision, the Koli community can be included in the Scheduled Tribes, he said. Patil requested that the Koli employees in service should not be sacked until a decision is taken in this regard.

Prakash Bobdi and Vilas Chawari said that the coalition government had issued a circular in 1995 to provide job protection to the in-service Koli workforce. The then coalition government was requested to extend its period.

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Koli community will strike against Coastal Road from Gorai to Colaba

Mumbai, 20th: The Koli community has opposed the coastal road project. The community has decided to take out a public awareness journey from Gorai to Colaba ​​against these projects. Due to the threat of extinction of Koliwada along the coastal road, it has been decided to conduct an awareness drive from Gorai to Colaba against this proposed route.The municipality invited suggestions and objections against the coastal road project. are Maharashtra in that background. On behalf of the Fishermen Action Committee, a meeting of the Koli community was held.

In a meeting chaired by Koli community leader Rambhau Patil, environment expert Debi Goenka , Krishi Agarwal, Darryl D'monte, and architect Shweta Wagh and Hussain Indorewala guided those present at the meeting. Due to this coastal road there is a threat to the Koliwadas of Colaba Worli, Chimbai, Khardanda, Juhutara, Juhumora and Vesave. Therefore, a resolution was passed in the meeting to oppose the coastal road. Mumbai president of the organization Kiran Koli decided to have a rally to create public awareness against the Coastal Road.