Why led lights are banned for marine fishing?
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Centre bans use of LED lights for fishing in coastal areas
Mangaluru: The Union government has banned fishing by use of lights in all coastal areas in the country. The move comes after complaints were made by traditional fishermen of poor catches and the death of small fish due to the use of LED lights and fish light attractors on mechanized fishing vessels, including motorized fishing crafts.
In an order (a copy of which is with TOI), the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare, department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries also bans fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters by bull or pair trawling.
The order also prohibits use or installation or operation of surface or submerged artificial lights/ LED lights, fish light attractors or any other light equipment with or without generator on mechanized fishing vessel or motorized fishing craft for trawling, purse-seining and grill netting operations in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters. A notification was issued on November 10.
The order will be binding on all fishing vessels and their supporting, supply and auxiliary vessels operating in the Indian EEZ. The ministry has requested the Coast Guard to take necessary steps to prevent use of LED light fishing.
According to sources, the Union government took the decision after traditional fishermen, especially from Goa, complained that their livelihood was hit due to bull trawling and the use of LED light fishing. They made a representation to the Centre to prohibit these activities.
In Dakshina Kannada, LED light fishing commenced two years ago. According to Nithin Kumar, president, Trawl Boat Fishermen Association, around 50 percent of boats have been involved in LED light fishing at night. In this technique, lights are attached to a structure above water or suspended underwater to attract fish to specific areas and then caught using nets. In this method, there are complaints that fingerlings or small fish too are caught, which results in loss of fish resources for the next season.
LED light fishing usually takes place between December and February, a season which sees meagre catches.
Mahesh Kumar, in-charge, deputy director, fisheries department, told TOI that 65 purse-seiner boats are registered in Mangaluru and of these, 50 are involved in light fishing. The district has also registered 740 multi-day trawlers and 550 traditional fishing boats.
Mangaluru: The Union government has banned fishing by use of lights in all coastal areas in the country. The move comes after complaints were made by traditional fishermen of poor catches and the death of small fish due to the use of LED lights and fish light attractors on mechanized fishing vessels, including motorized fishing crafts.
In an order (a copy of which is with TOI), the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare, department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries also bans fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters by bull or pair trawling.
The order also prohibits use or installation or operation of surface or submerged artificial lights/ LED lights, fish light attractors or any other light equipment with or without generator on mechanized fishing vessel or motorized fishing craft for trawling, purse-seining and grill netting operations in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters. A notification was issued on November 10.
The order will be binding on all fishing vessels and their supporting, supply and auxiliary vessels operating in the Indian EEZ. The ministry has requested the Coast Guard to take necessary steps to prevent use of LED light fishing.
According to sources, the Union government took the decision after traditional fishermen, especially from Goa, complained that their livelihood was hit due to bull trawling and the use of LED light fishing. They made a representation to the Centre to prohibit these activities.
In Dakshina Kannada, LED light fishing commenced two years ago. According to Nithin Kumar, president, Trawl Boat Fishermen Association, around 50 percent of boats have been involved in LED light fishing at night. In this technique, lights are attached to a structure above water or suspended underwater to attract fish to specific areas and then caught using nets. In this method, there are complaints that fingerlings or small fish too are caught, which results in loss of fish resources for the next season.
LED light fishing usually takes place between December and February, a season which sees meagre catches.
Mahesh Kumar, in-charge, deputy director, fisheries department, told TOI that 65 purse-seiner boats are registered in Mangaluru and of these, 50 are involved in light fishing. The district has also registered 740 multi-day trawlers and 550 traditional fishing boats.
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