ADSGAF to propose alternative deep-sea fishing policy

The fishermen’s demand of not to permit any more foreign fishing vessels in India is overruled by the Committee headed by Dr. Meenakumari in the report entitled ‘Report of the Expert Committee Constituted for Comprehensive Review of the Deep Sea Fishing Policy and Guidelines’. This report recommended a fleet size of 1178 Deep Sea Fishing Vessels (DSFVs) for deployment in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes the existing DSFVs and the additional numbers of 270 vessels (240 tuna long liners, 15 purse seiners and 15 squid jiggers). The Committee also contended that the estimated marine resources in the EEZ are 4.41 metric ton.

The Committee under estimated the fishing capacity and expertise of the Indian fishermen. The contention of Committee is that Indian fishermen are not trained to work on DSFVs, and recommended for the engagement of foreign crew in onboard DSFVs with an annual salary of US $ 25,000; till the requisite skill is developed in the country. The versionn of the Committee is that India is presently lacking expertise to exploit resources in marine waters, beyond 500 meters. Hence technology transfer through acquisition of foreign fishing vessels and, or, joint ventures/leasing, etc. may be considered for this area till the domestic capacity is fully developed. The Thoothoor fishermen in the lower south-west coast of India are capable of fishing beyond 500 meter depth; as their normal fishing area is beyond 500 meter depth. They spend more than 35 days in the deep sea for fishing.

Another issue to be addressed is the ‘depletion of marine resources and need for sustainable fishing methods’. The sustainable fishing methods have been advocated by many agencies state, central, and international levels. This approach is targeted towards the sustainable livelihood fishermen, the marine resource dependent communities. If the conservation approaches in fishing is for the sake of fishermen, how can one consider the foreign fishing vessels that are detrimental to marine wealth? The foreign vessels can fish any species anywhere in India! The Ministry of Environment and Forests, conservationists are coming with the proposal of ban of sharks, ray fishes, etc. But in India we have 4.41 metric ton marine resources and among the resources what is the percentages of sharks and ray fishes?

In the above context, fishermen are very much distressed. With this backdrop, ADSGAF had a special executive meeting to discuss the two issues on 18 September 2014. Mr. Selvorian, the President of the ADSGAF chaired the meeting. The followings are the major decisions taken at the meeting.

  • ADSGAF decided to prepare a Fishing Policy as an alternate to the one proposed by the Committee headed by Dr.Meenakumari titled ‘Review on Comprehensive Deep Sea Fishing Policy’; submitted to the Government of India. The responsibility for preparing the said policy is given to Mr. J.Vincent Jain, Chief Executive, ADSGAF. Time duration given for the completion of the report is 6 months. He has to consult fish workers representative, Scientists, fisheries experts, government officials, etc for the preparation of the report.
  • ADSGAF also decided to join with the NFF for the national level protest against the controversial Deep Sea Fishing Policy and also give solidarity in connection with the above
  • ADSGAF decided to give leadership to the move against the unscientific and impractical banning of fishing of sharks. ADSGAF decided to attend the National Consultation on Deep Sea Fishing Policy and Conservation of Sharks organized by NFF.
  • ADSGAF decided to create awareness to the fishermen by exhibiting pictures of sharks and ray fishes which are put under the appendix II of CITES in the villages of Neerodi, Marthandanthurai. Vallavilai, Eraviputhenthurai, Chinnathurai, Thoothoor, Poothurai and Eraimanthurai with the support of HSI-India.
  • ADSGAF decided to organize a special meeting at sea on 20 September 2014 by inviting visual Medias to demonstrate the methods of fishing by using nets, hooks and line etc.

ADSGAF and KSMTF call for rejection of proposed deep sea fishing policy

From the New Indian Express after a meeting this week in Trivandrum:

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Government should not go ahead with the implementation of the Dr Meenakumari Report on fishing sector, the Kerala Swathanthra Matsyathozhilali Federation state committee has demanded.

Inaugurating a workshop on deep sea fishing policy, organised by the Federation in association with National Fishworkers’ Forum and Association of Deep Seagoing Artisanal Fishermen in the city the other day, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John opined that implementing the report will bring the fisheries sector in the state to a major crisis and hence the Centre should not approve the report.

Implementing the report would adversely affect the fisheries sector in the state, he pointed out, adding that it’s time the traditional and small-scale fishing sector in the state are modernised to give a fresh impetus to the fisheries sector here. Fishermen organisations in the field should come up together against Dr Meenakumari report.

The state government would take all possible steps to convince the Union Government on the concerns raised by the fishermen. Traditional and small-scale fishermen should be encouraged for deep sea fishing while foreign vessels would be asked to stay away from this sector, Shibu Baby John said.

Presiding over, National Fishworkers’ Forum secretary T Peter said any attempt to prevent fishermen from carrying out their livelihood activities would be opposed.

The forum would organise protests at the national-level against this, he said. D Sanjeev Ghosh and Vince Jain presented resolutions at the workshop. S Raveendran Nair, Joseph Xavir Kalappurackal, Neythil Vincent, V K Madhusoodanan, Satheesh Babu, Fr Mathyas Oliver, P P John, Anto Elias, V Romance and Jackson Pollayil also spoke.

Fishing boats become part of race to cut carbon

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Graphic from The Hindu

The Hindu newspaper this week published a feature that relates to ADSGAF’s work to install solar panels on fishing boats:

Fishing boats to reduce carbon footprint

Hundreds of deep sea going fishing boats operating from Kerala and Tamil Nadu will soon be key players in a global bid to cut carbon emissions.

The Association of Deep Sea Going Artisanal Fishermen (ADSGAF) has taken up a pilot project to equip fishing vessels with solar panels so as to save fuel on long voyages and reduce the carbon footprint.

The second boat under the NABARD-funded project was put out to sea from the Muttom harbour in Kanyakumary district on Sunday. The first vessel fitted with solar panels had begun operations from the Thoppumpadi harbour, Ernakulam, in May this year.The solar panels are used to charge the battery which powers the GPS navigation equipment, fish finder and two VHF sets for communication, as well as signals and other lights on board.

Fishermen’s fears

“At sea, fishermen keep the boat’s engine running continuously, fearing they will be stranded if it refuses to restart,” says Vincent Jain, Chief Executive, ADSGAF. “By partly switching over to solar energy, they save fuel while cutting down on carbon emission”.

The boats usually remain at sea for about 15 days. Trials carried out by ADSGAF proved that switching off the inboard engine for three hours could save 30 litres of fuel a day, translating into an annual saving of at least Rs.4,65,000 for a boat.

For more of the story, click here.

Another solar boat goes for fishing

Panel on top of wheel house

The second boat under the NABARD funded project is ready to go for fishing with solar equipments. The engineering team headed by Mr. Sadhishkumar of Jagath Jothi Solar Energy Pvt Ltd, Chennai spent 2 days for the installation work.

The boat was to go fishing for fishing from Sept 14 MOCHANAM owned by Lourdayyan will go for fishing from Muttom Harbour. We will send you more information of the fishing voyage of the boat later.

Please see below for more photos.

Taking the battery to the boat

Taking the battery to the boat

Separate switch box for solar

Separate switch box for solar

Fishers flay decision on Marine

From the Hindu regarding the marines charged in the death of ADSGAF fishers:

The National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) and the Kerala Swathanthra Malsya Thozhilali Federation have come out strongly against the decision to send Massimiliano Latorre, one of two Italian marines involved in the killing of two fishers off the Kerala coast, to Italy for treatment.

In a joint statement here on Saturday, NFF secretary T. Peter and federation secretary Anto Elias termed the decision a challenge to the fishing community in India. By observing silence in court on the issue when there were sufficient treatment facilities in India, the Union and State governments had bowed to the dictates of the Italian government, they said.

Mr. Peter and Mr. Elias said the stand taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was a disgrace for the country and wondered whether the Italian marine would return after treatment. Fishers would stage a sit-in in front of the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Workshop to review Deep Sea Fishing Policy

CLICK: Invitation workshop critical review of deep sea fishing policy and shark conservation

The NFF, KSMTF and ADSGAF are  jointly organizing a one day workshop on “A Critical Review of Deep Sea Fishing Policy and Conservation of Sharks” on 16th September 2014 at Press Club, Trivandrum from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm.

The workshop is being organised with the aim of analysing the move of the Government of India to create offshore buffer zones, ban fishing of
certain species of sharks and rays, promoting foreign trawlers in India etc.

We cordially invite you for the workshop and give your valuable suggestions.

For Organizers
T.Peter- NFF,  Jackson Pollayil-KSMTF, V.Romanse-ADSGAF

For Details and to RSVP:
Mr. T.Peter
National Secretary
Tutors Lane, Statue, Trivandrum
Mob: 09744259831