KOLLAM: The state traditional fishing inboard outboard labourers and owners union has demanded the enforcement of safety norms in fishing vessels to avoid casualties during disasters like Cyclone Ochki. The union, which alleged that routine safety inspections in these vessels were a mere gimmick, said that the majority of boats that ended up in trouble lacked sufficient safety measures including lifebuoys. The union also brought up its demand to restrict fishing beyond 200 nautical miles, which falls in the international sea boundary.
“The authorities conduct inspections once a year to ensure safety devices including lifebuoys only during the renewal of permit. The number of lifebuoys should be equal to the number of men in a boat. But a majority of boats lack proper safety measures including lifebuoys that are mandatory for all boats that go fishing,” V. Sasikumar, union president, told DC. The authorities also lacked information on the type of fishing and the number of fishermen going out to sea. The boats that use special fishing nets called ‘ozhukkuvala’ and hooks halt nearly a month in deep waters before they return with their catch. The information on the number and whereabouts of these men remain unknown after Cyclone Ochki.
Lack of life-saving facilities for the forces including Coast Guard marine enforcement also adds to the woes of fishermen. “There is no facility for recovering even the dead bodies. The authorities have to rent out boats for fishing out the bodies,” Mr. Sasikumar added. Marine ambulances that were announced to benefit fishermen if they met with accidents still remains on paper.
The union has demanded that the law be amended mandating traditional fishermen return to shore on a daily basis instead of camping in the deep sea for weeks. It also demanded construction of concrete walls along the shores that could even withstand a tsunami. A representation regarding these demands has been submitted before the State and Central Governments by the union.
