Kochi: Fishermen’s organisations are apprehensive over the new shipping channel proposed by the Union government from Kutch in Gujarat to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. The National Fish workers’ Forum is conducting a ‘sea protest’ on October 30 against the proposal, which according to them will affect means of livelihood of thousands of fishermen.
The shipping channel with 20 nautical mile (37.5 km) width is proposed at 15 nautical miles from the coast. The organisations demand that the channel should be beyond 50 nautical miles, though fishermen from the country can go for fishing up to 200 nautical miles.
“The proposed channel passes through the area which is the main fishing area of traditional fishing canoes and mechanized vessels since the catch is high. If the shipping channel has been realised it will deny the rights of livelihood of fishermen,” said T. Peter, general secretary of National Fish Workers Forum.
“The bureaucrats and ministers in New Delhi are taking decisions without considering the living condition and hardships of fishermen,” he added.
The National Fish workers’ Forum has submitted a memorandum to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urging that any decision in this regard has to be taken only after consultation with fishermen organisations.
Meanwhile, Kerala Matsyathozhilali Aikyavedi president Charles George told DC that considering the seriousness of the issue, the state government should immediately convene a meeting of fisheries organisations.
“Considering the increasing number of accidents involving big ships and fishing vessels, it is better to have a dedicated shipping channel. But the more feasible plan is to fix the shipping channel beyond the continental shelf, the stretch of the seabed adjacent to the shores of the country to which it belongs,” he said.
