(a) whether it is a fact that fishermen in the coastal areas of Kerala are facing an unprecedented situation in recent times that they had to come back to the shore empty handed;
(b) whether it is also a fact that the people involved in the fishing trade in Kerala are facing hardship on account of the above;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to help the fishing community in such a situation; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:
(SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)
(a): No, Sir.
(b) and (c): No, Sir. Government of Kerala has reported that the people involved in the fishing trade in Kerala are not facing hardship. In this regard the Government of Kerala has taken various initiatives like amendment of Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRA) enacted by the States inserting provisions for management and regulation of marine fisheries, which inter alia contains provision for regulation, control and conservation of marine fishery wealth in sustainable manner. Fisheries being the State subject, Department of Fisheries of Kerala also observe various management measures like (i) uniform ban on fishing, (ii) mesh size regulation (iii) ban on using artificial lights for fishing (iv) ban on Bull Trawling and other destructive fishing methods (v) ban on harvesting of endangered species, (vi) introduction of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) for commercially important marine fish species etc. As a result of the above conservation and management measures, the marine fish production has increased from 4,83,683 MT (2017-18) to 6,09,730 MT (2018-19).
(d): Does not arise
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