The fishermen community in Mayabunder staged a massive rally in protest against fishing by large boats by using ring nets which, they said, leave almost nothing for them to catch. The protesters marched from Helipad ground to Dy. Commissioner’s office raising slogans against use of ring nets for fishing. In the absence of the Dy. Commissioner, the Director Fisheries and Tehsildar met the protesters. The protesters were told that even though fishing through ring nets was not illegal, the Assistant Commissioner will enquire into the matter tomorrow and submit a report to the Dy. Commissioner. According to the protesting fishermen, the big boat owners from Port Blair and even Mayabunder were using ring nets to catch fish of all sizes in massive quantities. This mode of fishing leaves almost nothing for the small fishermen to catch. About 2000 family members of fishermen are thus finding it difficult to earn their livelihood.
Echo of India