Traditional Fishermen Stage Protest in Malpe Against LED Fishing
Udupi: Traditional fishermen staged a flash protest against the use of LED lights while fishing, near the Fisheries Department Deputy Director’s office in Malpe, on January 29.
Protesters raised slogans against the district administration and gheraoed the Deputy directors of Fisheries Department Parshwanath and Assistant Director Shivakumar and demanded to implement the government order.
Traditional fishermen allege that mechanised fishing vessels were violating the ban imposed by the government on fishing using artificial lights, which attracts fish during the night. Protesters also urged dealers not to buy fish caught by Purse-Sein and other boats that use LED lights for fishing.
LED light fishing usually takes place between December and February, a season that sees less fish being caught. Rajesh Puthran, general secretary, Trawl Boat Fishermen Association, alleged that it is against the rules and already a few boats fitted with LED lights have entered the sea for fishing.
Ministry of agriculture and farmers’ welfare, department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries have also banned fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters by bull or pair trawling. The order also prohibited the use or installation or operation of surface or submerged artificial lights/LED lights, fish light attractors or any other light equipment with or without the generator on mechanized fishing vessels or motorised fishing craft for trawling, Purse-Seining and grill netting operations in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters.
The order will be binding on all fishing and supporting vessels, supply and auxiliary vessels operating in the Indian EEZ. The ministry has requested the Coast Guard to take the necessary steps to prevent the use of LED lights for fishing. In Udupi District, LED light fishing commenced five years ago. The technique uses lights attached to the structure above water or suspended underwater to attract fish to specific areas, and it is caught by using nets. During this fishing, there are complaints that fingerlings or small fishes get caught, which results in the loss of fish resources for the next season.
