Thiruvananthapuram: In a proactive move to safeguard marine fish populations, the Kerala Government has announced a five-year extension to the ban on catching juveniles of 58 fish varieties, effective until August 31, 2028. This decision is a response to the dwindling marine fish landings and is based on expert recommendations, including insights from scientists at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Originally instituted in 2017 through an amendment to the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980, this ban was implemented due to a sharp decline in marine fish landings, which had plummeted to four lakh tonnes. An expert committee was established to assess the ban’s effectiveness, and their recent report not only suggests a five-year extension but also contemplates an indefinite prohibition without specific exemptions in terms of fish varieties or quantities.
The indiscriminate catching of juvenile fish by mechanized vessels, driven by the demand from fish manure factories in neighboring states, was a primary catalyst for the 2017 ban. Strict enforcement measures subsequently led to a notable increase in fish landings, totaling 6.9 lakh tonnes in the previous fiscal year, prompting the decision to extend the ban.
Under the ban, fishermen are prohibited from catching fish below a certain size for the designated varieties. To incentivize compliance, vessels with up to 40 percent of banned juvenile fish are granted an exemption. Beyond this threshold, fines are imposed, ranging from Rs 1 lakh for boats with a 100 hp engine to Rs 2.5 lakh for those with a 250 hp engine.
Last year, a substantial sum of fines, totaling Rs 2.25 crore, was collected, underscoring the stringent enforcement of this regulation. Kerala’s marine fish production contributes to 13 percent of the nation’s total, with exports valued at Rs 5,000 crore. The decision to prolong the ban reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving marine ecosystems and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry.