As the ban on trawling nears, illegal fishing practices are wreaking havoc on fish populations along the Malabar coast. The trolling ban is set to commence on June 9 midnight. Even before the ban in motion, unscientific fishing methods have started taking place.
Night-time fishing using high-voltage lights has become widespread, resulting in the capture of fish even from the seabed. This method not only entraps juvenile fish, but also disrupts marine ecosystems. The extracted fish are often utilised for purposes such as fertiliser production, rather than for sale.
Large boats from Karnataka are engaging in pair trawling, a method involving the use of double nets that capture even baby fish. This poses a grave threat to both fish stocks and the livelihoods of traditional fishermen. The intensity of these activities has escalated in recent weeks as the trolling ban deadline approaches intended to capture fish for the usage of a few more months more. These operations occur up to 40-60 nautical miles from the coast.
Pair trawling involves two boats positioned 150-200 metres apart, resulting in the mass capture of fish of all sizes. Sophisticated equipment, including powerful lights, lure fish to the surface, leading to their entrapment in nets placed on the seabed. Despite regulations restricting inboard boats to one carrier vessel for fishing and advising against the use of intense lights, these guidelines are clearly disregarded.
Traditional fishermen allege lax enforcement by Coastal Police and the Coast Guard over the issue. The problem is particularly high in Koyilandy, Chompala, Puthiyappa and other harbours, endangering the livelihoods of local fishermen. With fish availability already at a low for about seven months, the spread of unscientific fishing methods complicates the crisis.
Fishermen have lodged complaints with the District Collector of Kozhikode and the Deputy Director of Fisheries regarding the issue. “The Central Government should introduce new laws. Most of the boats come from Mangalore, while some come from Tamil Nadu as well. Double netting should be strictly prohibited. Fish sources and the livelihood of fishermen must be protected,” said V M Rajeevan, a fisherman from Koyilandy.