KOLLAM: As the 47-day trawling ban in the state ends on Sunday midnight, the fishing harbours of Sakthikulangara, Neendakara and Azheekkal in Kollam are in a festive mood and the fishermen are getting ready with their boats and nets to go fishing again. The fishing boats will move into the sea at Neendakara when the fisheries authorities untie the chain secured across the spans of Neendakara bridge by midnight.
Huge fishing vessels return only after four to seven days while small vessels will return by Monday morning itself. The fisheries deputy director has warned against netting small fishes and fries, including that of prawns and squids that earn big money in national and international markets. Punitive action will be taken if fish fries exceed ten percent of the total catch.
The department has made unified colour code mandatory for the fishing vessels operating in the state. The wheel house of the boats should be painted in orange colour and the hull and body in dark blue. The colour code is required for new boat registrations and renewal of existing licences. Along with the preparations made by fishermen to start a new season, the ice plants functioning near the harbours also anticipate good business.
Coast Guard reviews safety measures
As the trawl ban has ended and fishing vessels started venturing into the sea, deputy inspector general M.V. Pathak, commander, Coast Guard, Kerala, has convened a review meeting to take stock of the preparedness of the Coast Guard units for immediate response to any eventuality at sea. Coast Guard is also organising community interaction programmes to sensitise the need of safety of fishers.
Commander Pathak urged the fishing community to follow the safety procedures while operating at sea. The fishermen are also being sensitised on the misuse of Distress Alerting Transmitters (DATs). They have been advised not to use defective boats, and only authorised personnel should be onboard. The boats should operate in pairs or groups, to ensure immediate and timely assistance.
He also reminded them to carry life-saving equipment/communication sets, documents of boats and biometric identity cards, additional mobile phones/batteries, temporary repair kits, first-aid kit, extra fuel and ration, flashlights with extra batteries and necessary medicines while venturing into the sea.
The Coast Guard also urged merchant ships operating off Kerala coast and dhows operating to and from Kerala and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands to follow the laid down standard operating procedures. The master of the merchant vessels should ensure seaworthiness of their ships. The assistance from Indian Coast Guard can be sought round-the-clock on the toll-free number 1,554.
