The All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association has urged the state government to stop penalising fishermen for juvenile fishing, citing lack of proper technology to ensure survival of juvenile fish. The association has submitted a memorandum to the Director of Fisheries suggesting fine be collected from fishermen until a proper law is enacted, after holding discussions with the stakeholders. Last Month, the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) had conducted a seminar on the topic Steps to Reduce Juvenile Incidence in Fisheries.’ The government started penalising fishermen even before putting a foolproof system in place. We are ready to support the government’s efforts to ensure survival of juvenile fish. For that, fishermen should be shown a method to stop catching juveniles. Restricting mesh size has proven to be ineffective, said association general secretary Joseph Xavier Kalappurakkal. During the tenure of the previous government, boat owners paid a total fine of `2.49 crore for juvenile fishing. The present government is continuing the crackdown. So far, around `76 lakh has been collected as fine. Currently, fisheries scientists are discussing ways to ensure survival of juvenile fish, said Joseph Xavier. When fishing boats engaging in juvenile fishing are seized, the authorities impose huge fines on the operators. The government also confiscates the catch and sells it, adding to the fishermen’s loss. According to scientists, the estimated annual loss from juvenile fishing by motorised and mechanised vessels is about $19,445 million. Recent estimates show landing of low-value by-catch in fishing nets increased from 14 per cent in 2008 to 25 per cent in 2011. It is reported the target catch forms only 25-30 per cent in shrimp trawls and the rest is either discarded or brought to the shore for sale. The discarded catch comprises juveniles of commercially important fish species and bottom biota.