47-day trawling ban along Kerala coast from Friday night

Thiruvananthapuram: A 47-day ban on trawling by mechanised boats will come into force along Kerala coast from midnight on Friday, as a measure to conserve marine resources during the spawning season.

Traditional fishing craft, however, have been exempted from the ban.

Ban on trawling by mechanised boats has been a regular annual feature in Kerala since 1988 after several studies recommended such a seasonal restriction for conservation of a variety of fish whose large-scale harvesting by fishery vessels was found to have threatened their survival.

According to Fisheries Department sources, vigilance along the coast would be stepped up to ensure that mechanised boats do not venture into the sea violating the ban.

During the period, sea rescue squads would be deployed in coastal waters for the safety of traditional fishermen who engage in fishing in traditional craft, sources said.

The ban would be in place along the Kerala coast up to 12 nautical miles.

Monsoon is the spawning season for a large variety of fish, particularly shrimp. During the ban period, trawlers and mechanised boats are not allowed to enter the area demarcated by the government.