The recent confrontation between officials at the Vypeen Fisheries Station and boat operators over juvenile fishing has brought to the fore the difficulties faced by the fisheries station in carrying out its mandate to watch over fishing operations in its jurisdiction. The incidents in the early hours of Saturday involved a group of people operating trawling boats forcefully taking away two boats seized by the fisheries station officials for allegedly engaging in juvenile fishing. Two fisheries station officials were injured in the incident. However, the mechanised boat operators denied that they attacked the fisheries station and called for an impartial inquiry into the incidents with the help of CCTV footage from the premises. Traditional fishermen, on the other hand, have demanded strong action against the trawl boat operators, accusing them of unilaterally withdrawing from an agreement to desist from juvenile fishing. Both the groups conducted mass action around fish landing centres and harbours in the Ernakulam district on Monday to register their views on the developments. The incidents and the opposing stand taken by the fishermen bring to the fore the need for equipping the enforcement agency entrusted with the task of keeping an eye on fishing operations under the State regulations. State Fisheries Department sources pointed out the glaring shortage of personnel at the fisheries station that has led to a lot of strain on the officials, who are frequently forced to do round-the-clock duty. The fisheries station has only one boat for its patrol duties. The boat is hired by the Department for the purpose. The fisheries station also looks after a large geographical area in Thrissur district as of now. However, this problem is expected to be resolved with the establishment of a fisheries station at Azhikode in Thrissur district. Sources said the infrastructure work for the fisheries station was complete and it was expected to be inaugurated soon.
2018, The Hindu