PURSE SEINE FISHING
Purse Seine is a wide and long wall of the net. The technique of purse seine fishing is used on the western and eastern coasts of India. In 2022, at the request of the Central Government, Supreme Court banned purse seine fishing. Because the net used is a big disadvantage to the endangered species in the sea. Recently, the apex court lifted the ban. This is a big relief to coastal states like Tamil Nadu. They were insisting on removing the ban as it affected the lives of fishermen.
Contents
- About Purse Seine Fishing
- Concerns of the states
- Benefits of Purse Seine Fishing
- Why did SC ban purse seine fishing?
About Purse Seine Fishing
It is considered the most efficient and also the most aggressive fishing method. When implemented at the right spot, the method gives a huge catch to the fishermen. It is most aggressive because it takes in everything in its way. The fishing boat drags the net. The fish can enter the net but cannot move out. They get stuck.
Concerns of the states
The fishermen in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu do not use sophisticated vessels for fishing. Ordinary motor-powered boats are used. The method of purse seine fishing benefits them at large because they can drag their catch to the coast. They leave the fish in the water inside the net. And drag them to the coast. So, they need not carry storage or preservation equipment to bring their catch. The cost invested is very less. Ban on the method affected the livelihood of several fishermen.
Benefits of Purse Seine Fishing
The net used in this type of fishing has no sea contact with the sea bed. Therefore, it is easy to target dense schools of fish such as Mackerel and Tuna.
Why did SC ban purse seine fishing?
The net captures everything around it. This includes sea turtles and other vulnerable species. Therefore, there is a fear that the endangered species may go extinct with purse seine fishing.
While dealing with the instant matter, the Court opined that interests of all the parties need to be protected.
Hence, the Court allowed purse seine fishing beyond the territorial waters of Tamil Nadu within EEZ with the following conditions:
- Only fishing vessels registered with the State Government of Tamil Nadu and under Section 11 of Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972 will be permitted.
- Fisheries Department will permit only those boats which have an approved Vessel Tracking System (‘VTS’) installed, which needs to be kept running while the vessels operate.
- These vessels will be allowed to operate only twice a week on Monday and Thursday, while the other restrictions of non-fishing period still apply.
- Permitted vessels shall leave the coastline at or after 8 a.m. and return to the designated place on the same day by 6 p.m.
- It is mandatory for all the sailors to keep their biometric card/photo ID.
- It is mandatory to provide VTS code to the Fisheries Department, Marine Police, Coast Guard and the Indian Navy.
- State Fisheries Department shall give a colour code to these purse seine fishing boats.
- Registration numbers of vessels have to be prominently displayed on the boat. Each vessel’s tracking data for all the trips has to be submitted to the concerned Assistant Commissioner or other designated officer on the same day to ensure that the vessels have fished only outside the territorial waters of Tamil Nadu.
- Boats will be allowed to land/dock at the designated Centre earmarked by the Fisheries Department.
- The State fisheries department has to display the permissions granted to individuals/companies along with the respective registration number of each of the vessels for the purpose of purse seine fishing on its website.
While passing interim orders, the Court also noted the Tamil Nadu State Counsel’s reference to State of Kerala v. Joseph Antony, (1994) 1 SCC 301 and Kerala Swathanthra Malaya Thozhilali Federation v. Kerala Trawlnet Boat Operators’ Assn., (1994) 5 SCC 28, wherein the Court has made adverse comments against Purse Seine Fishing. It clarified that the present restricted interim order is made after considering subsequent development since 1994 and the Central Government’s stand. The Court also kept the aforementioned judgments open for deeper consideration after receiving additional inputs based on the report of the Committee to be set up by the Central Government.
Fisherman Care, Registered Association v. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India, (2023 SC ) decided on 24-01-2023