Reg.No. 07-7-88
Kerala State Committee
Room No.14, Marthi Vilas, C.S. Road, Kochi – 682011
Charles George M.M. Gopalan
President Secretary
Mob: 9447168852 Mob:8086998843
To
Director
CMFRI
P.O.Box 1603
Kochi – 682018
Sir,
Sub:- Comment on National Marine Fishing Policy -2015.
It is learnt that Ministry of Agriculture had appointed a committee on behalf of DAHDF for reviewing the existing Marine Fishing Policy -2004, and to formulate a new one accordingly. It is truly a welcoming step. As our fishery is going through an interregnum, a lackadaisical situation arises due to the policies and practices of various Govts. Fishing now-a-days is not at all a viable thing. Traditional fisher folk is living in abject poverty and misery. Only a handful exporters and middlemen accrue gain from this situation.
Grand lancing of LO P vessel’s IUU fishing created new problems. In this critical labyrinth, Herculean effort is needed from the part of the committee. Whereas India had to enact so many legislations and administrative measures to fulfill international commitments and treaties the appointment of the committee is timely one.
Our neighboring Country Sri Lanka is booked in ‘Red Card’ by E.U. due to IUU. Thailand and Indonesia is also on the same path.
But rather the context than the text of the committee which is embarrassing us. The committee appointed by DAHDF in 2013 headed by Dr. B. Meenakumari to review the 2004 policy was not fulfill the task. Rather it recommended LOP.
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Even though stiff resistance by fishers occurred throughout India, the government of India was not rescinded the LOP policy. The G.O of 12/11/14 and Public Notice of 28-11-2014 is a glaring manifestation of Govt’s. intention. Our apprehension is that, the present committee had also have the very same structure and salient features of Meenakumari committee which is rejected by the Stakeholders of India. Some of our apprehensions, objections and suggestions are given below:-
1. Structure of the committee: May be reconstituted and may include institutions, Maritime state government representatives, Stakeholders from fishing community’s and experts – other than the existing members.
SUGGESTIONS
a. Maritime state government’s representatives
1. Kerala (Representing South West Coastal States of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa).
2. Tamil Nadu (East Coast)
3. Gujarat or Maharashtra
4. Lakshadweep (Representing U.T. – Deep Sea and distant water fishing area)
b. Institutions
1. CIFT (2) NIO (3) KUFOS or TNFU (4) Indian Meteorological Institute
c. Fishing Community:
At least 4 members representing 4 coastal areas and members comprising traditional fishermen, small scale fishers and export sector to be included.
ON TERMS OF REFERENCES
As the existing TOR are inadequate, redraft the TOR accordingly;
1. Sustainable tapping of fishery resources
2. Over - capacity of fishing crafts and gears
3. Need of a revised Central Model Enabling Legislation. Review of State Acts. Extension of State fisheries Jurisdiction from Territorial Sea to Contiguous Zone and EEZ through necessary Constitutional Amendments.
4. Fishermen’s Right on Fishery and their Right for Livelihood
5. Upgradation of the economic status of traditional fishermen
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6. Issues related to upgradation, modernization and Co-operatization of Marine fishing sector
7. Access of marine products in National and International markets and Abolition of Middlemen’s exploitation
8. Participatory Management or Co-Management practices in Marine Fishing Sector.
9. Constituting an exclusive Ministry of Fisheries (MOF) for Co-ordinating all fishery activities through a single window governance system.
10. Assure Fishermen’s Right of Fishing in EEZ and International waters. Formation of an RFMO in Indian Ocean area for assuring judicious and equitable sharing of fishery resources.
A questionnaire covering these issues be prepared along with the existing one. Stakeholder’s consultations at various levels and at various phases to be conducted. Without this democratic practice the very aim of the committee become futile and the recommendations be null and void. Expecting a positive approach on all these matters…
Yours faithfully,
CHARLES GEORGE
KOCHI PRESIDENT
12-12-2015 KERALA MATSYA THOZHILALI AIKYA VEDI (TUCI)