A section of fishing industry, led by the Kerala Fishing Boat Operators’ Association, stopped fishing operations and organised a march to the office of the Assistant Fisheries Officer near Fort Vypeen on Monday protesting against what they have alleged as unjustified action against some fishing boat operators in the name of juvenile fishing. President of the Kerala Boat Operators’ Association Joseph Xavier Kalappurakkal claimed that around 3,000 fishermen from Kochi, Vypeen, and Munambam participated in the protest action on Monday even as around 200 fishing boats struck work to join the protest action. He said the protesters reiterated their innocence in connection with a case in which two fishing boats were seized by the Fisheries Department for allegedly engaging in juvenile fishing. He described the action by the department as draconian and said the operators would launch an indefinite strike from February 15. The protesting fishermen also plan to march to the headquarters of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute on February 15. The incidents against which the fishermen are protesting relate to the one in which two fishing boats were seized by officials for allegedly engaging in juvenile fishing. The two boats were later forcefully seized by the fishermen, who also allegedly damaged the Fisheries Station office. Mr. Kalappurakkal denied the allegations and said that a false case was being foisted on the fishing boat operators. Traditional fishermen, who are seeking action against juvenile fishing, did not join the protest action on Monday.
2018, The Hindu