Kerala's trawling ban begins June 15; fish to be dearer

Thiruvananthapuram, May 30 : With the annual ban on trawling coming into effect June 15, the price of fish is set to soar in Kerala.

A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Monday decided to enforce the ban on fishing in the sea by trawlers from June 15 to July 31, an annual practice since 1988 during the monsoon, which is the breeding season for a variety of fish.

The ban extends to 12 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, and applies to all kinds of trawlers and mechanised boats.

The fish prices are already very high in the state, with the popular Seer fish costing over Rs.400 per kg. The fish is is expected to become costlier once the trawlers stop venturing out into the sea.

This ban aims at conserving fish species during the monsoon, which is the spawning season for many varieties of fish, including shrimp.

During the ban period all those working in mechanized boats, peeling sheds and fishing harbours in the state are provided with free ration.

--IANS

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