Automated Translation:
A clash of fishing nets

Shiv Prasad Desai, Konkan: The Konkan coast has been devastated over the years due to the conflict between traditional and purse-seine fishermen. Although the government has now accepted theCommittee report in its bid to resolve the dispute, the main question is whether it will be implemented.In the last few years, large size sardine, pomfret and other fish are found in scarcity in the fish market. On the contrary, these 'priced' fish stocks are widely available. Eight-ten years ago, the scene was exactly the opposite. Even in the sea, this big fish is found only in scarcity. At the root of this catchment, with the help of perscinnet, is the main reason - the immense spoils of ree fish

A purse seine net is about the size of a purse, spreading over a kilometer area. Since the diameter of the net is as small as______, even half a .. small fish gets caught in it. ..with the help of maggots the sea fish is ..filtered. This leads to the destruction of fish spawn.

As a result of all this, not only Maharashtra, but the entire country is facing a fish drought-like situation. Purse seines were first used in Kerala during the 1980s. Their numbers grew rapidly and formed a large lobby of Purse seine holders. Purse seine fishing requires an investment of lakhs Because of this, the rich jumped into it. However, as common fishermen could not invest so much, they depended on traditional methods.

There are many schools of thought regarding the definition of traditional fishermen. But there are about 2,21,000 thousand traditional fishermen in Konkan who fish using small boats. Of course, just as many families depend on this business. There are as many as 395 fishing villages. Fishing is the backbone of the economy along the Konkan coast. Maharashtra's maritime economic zone extends to 200 nautical miles; But all these are not used as the necessary tools are not enough for deep fishing. A large amount of fishing takes place in the area adjacent to the Ular coast. Traditional fishermen cannot go into the deep sea due to lack of proper equipment and purse seiners fish in areas close to shore. Therefore, participation in less areas increased.

Moreover, the intensity of fish drought also increased. Furthermore, Purse seine trawlers can catch as much fish as two hundred small fiber boats at a time. Due to this, traditional fishermen have been deprived of their livelihood. This is the beginning of the conflict between traditional and purse seine nets. This dispute reached such an extreme that it literally created a warlike situation in the sea.

In Sindhudurga last year, two groups clashed in the sea near Nivati. The clashes near Achara a few months ago were born out of this struggle too.

Along with purse seine, mini purse seine nets controversy is also raging in Konkan. A relatively low cost, slightly smaller sized purse seine is used for this. Konkan has a high number of unofficial mini purse seine nets.

Purse seine net trawlers from Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa directly encroach on the Maharashtra coast. Due to their high speed trawlers, the nets of local fishermen are broken. They also threaten with weapons. There is no effective mechanism in the sea to control it. Although the number of traditional fishermen is high, except for Sindhudurg, they are not much organized in Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane, Palghar, Mumbai.

Purse seine net holders on the other hand are less in number but financially capable. The political connections of this Lombi are also strong. In fact traditional fishermen have a large 'vote bank'. But due to lack of organization they get political support. Even earlier, criteria were set for how many catchment areas should be fished by Purse seine net holders and traditional fishermen; But the Department of Fisheries (Fisheries), which is responsible for this control, is weak. They don't have enough capable boats.

There is also lack of required manpower. Even with this in mind, they are unable to control overfishing. Apart from this, corruption is also affecting their efficiency.

To tackle the problems of the fishermen, a research committee under the leadership of Dr. S.V. Somavanshi was established in September 2016. The committee had even prepared a report. But it remained pending for a long time. Even for its implementation, traditional fishermen had to take to the streets to protest.

Last week, the state government announced a ban on new purse seine licences. The report of the Somvanshi Committee was also accepted. It has introduced many restrictions on perscine fishing. The number of purse seine licenses will also be reduced in a phased manner. Traditional fishermen will get open fishing grounds; But the question of when this will be implemented remains unanswered. According to available information, the Department of Fisheries has demanded a separate enforcement cell for this. It has demanded more manpower, separate system for patrolling, modern patrolling boats. A separate financial arrangement has to be made for that. At present, due to the intrusion of trawlers from other states, our fish is being looted. If it is stopped, the revenue of the state will also increase. It will also cover the financial provision to be made for a separate room. Of course, how effective the decisionmakers are for this is equally important.

Global threat of fish famine

The problem of fish shortage is also serious at the global level. In most places, overfishing, purse seine nets and marine pollution are the main reasons behind this. Japan, China and other countries have taken strict measures to overcome the fish shortage.