CMFRI takes up captive breeding of spiny lobsters

By P. Oppili

CHENNAI JULY 5. The Kovalam Field Laboratory of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), which was lying disused for nearly a decade, has started functioning and the authorities have taken up the work of captive breeding, larval rearing and nursery breeding of `Spiny Lobsters'.

The objective of the programme being implemented with the participation of the local community is to help local fishermen catch lobsters during the lean season, say the CMFRI authorities.

At the lab, the authorities are collecting the buried lobsters (pregnant ones), which will take more than a fortnight to hatch. The hatched larvae will be fed with zooplanktons, which are being raised at the lab itself, they say. The larva cycle is about six to eight months, after which they become young ones.

A CMFRI scientist, Joe Kizhakudal, who had successfully implemented a similar programme at fishing hamlets in Gujarat was invited to the city for a similar venture, says the Scientist In-Charge, H.Mohamad Kasim. Soon after they are hatched, the larvae start their journey in the waters and reach the deep sea following the water current patterns. Once they reach the stage of young lobsters, they come back to the same place where they were hatched, like the Olive Ridley sea turtles, he says. The larvae can swim without any feed up to a distance of 500 km, he adds.

Mr. Kizhakudal, who interacted with the Gujarat fishermen and disseminated awareness about protecting young lobsters, said fishermen should not damage or disturb the habitat of the lobsters. Moreover, they also have to release the young ones into the waters whenever they are unintentionally caught in the net. Such a gesture will help them have better lobster catch in the long run, he says. Buried lobsters and the undersized ones should not be removed from the waters, says Mr. Kizhakudal. If the undersized ones are caught, they can be handed over to the lab, where they can be raised to `regulation' sizes, after which they can be sold in the market, he explains to the local fishermen at Kovalam.

Community participation is the major component for the success of the programme, which will help the fishermen earn their living even during the lean seasons, the CMFRI authorities says.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/07/06/stories/2003070606870300.htm

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are not what you do , you do what you are

One's profession and career should be their  hobby, passion and cause

 

Sudarshan Rodriguez,

Project Consultant,

UNDP-GoI Post- Tsunami Environment Initiative

Flat 2B, Adithya Apartments,

38 Balakrishna Road,

Valmiki Nagar,Thiruvanmiyur ,

Chennai-600 041

Tamilnadu, India.

Phone:+91 44 420 19470

Mobile: +91 9840680127

Fax: +91 44 420 19468

 

Email: sudarshanr@yahoo.com

SC allows 'Blue Lady ' to enter India, to undergo inspection

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted Norwegian Ship 'Blue Lady,' containing
1240 metric tonnes of toxic asbestos, to enter Indian territorial waters
with the directions that the ship be anchored at Alang port in Gujarat for
inspection by the Indian authorities.

The vacation bench comprising Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice CK
Thakker allowed the application filed by Central government seeking
permission for the entry of the ship into India.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the Centre,
assured the court that all safety norms related to pollution of the
environment will be adhered to and also pleaded that the inspection was not
possible unless and until the ship was permitted to arrive in Gujarat.

Sanjay Parikh counsel for the petitioner NGO 'Research Foundation for
Science", however, opposed the entry of the ship on the grounds that the
hazardous waste in the ship was yet to be decontaminated.

The court, however, rejected the contention of the petitioner and accepted
the suggestion made by an expert committee appointed by the Supreme Court
and directed that all safety norms be strictly implemented.

The court, however, did not permit the dismantling of the ship till further
orders.

It may be noted here that the ship had started from Malaysia and came to
reach its present destination via Dubai. Neighbouring Bangladesh has already
refused entry to the ship. At present it is anchored 120 km away from Indian
territorial water.

Earlier also French Government had to recall its ship containing similar
toxic hazardous substance after the Supreme Court refused entry to the ship.

Counsel for Central Pollution Control Board, Vijay Pajwani, pleaded that
hazardous waste rules pertaining to import of such toxic waste must be
strictly complied with.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1713384,000900040003.htm

Fishing harbour to be modernised with World Bank aid

Pondicherry, June 5. (PTI): The fishing harbour at Thengaithittu in Pondicherry would be modernised with World Bank assistance, a top Government official said on Sunday.

The modernisation was aimed at providing more number of quays, modern winch systems to lift mechanised boats to repair the marine workshop, boat making yard, cold storage and processing unit inside the harbour, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner of Pondicherry B V Selvaraj said in a press release here.

Selvaraj, who earlier addressed 100 fishermen on the conclusion of a four-day intensive training course by the fisheries department, said the latest technology would be explored to provide synthetic fibre feders in the quays to protect mechanised boats from being damaged.

The department conducted the course in collaboration with the Chennai-based Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical and Engineering Training.

He said steps were being taken to build cottages along the coast, where sea based recreational facilities are available, to attract tourists. Fisherwomen would also get an alternative vocation to provide various types of sea food to tourists.

In another press release, Mary Chinna Rani, joint director (fisheries), project implementation agency attached to the tsunami reconstruction project, said a four day training programme for fishermen of coastal villages on marine engine repair and maintenance and repair of fishing nets had benefitted owners of mechanised, FRP boats and FRP catamarans.

Experts from the Central Institute of fisheres, Nautical and engineering training provided the training, which ended on June 1, she said.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200606050310.htm

Orissa villagers cut off for backing steel plant

 DHINKIA: It is a picturesque Indian coastal village off the Bay of Bengal,  lush and green. But the villagers here are starving without one proper  meal a day.  About 200 villagers of Dhinkia in Orissa state have been shunned for  welcoming India's largest foreign direct investment, a proposed $12  billion steel plant by South Korean steel giant POSCO.  The handful of pro-industry supporters have been banned from fetching  water from the wells or buying rations and vegetables from local shops in  Dhinkia, about 140 km east of the state capital, Bhubaneshwar.  “We want POSCO to set up a plant here so that our children get jobs. But  we are being punished for no crime,” says 60-year-old Hara Sutara, wearing  a torn pink sari, her voice quivering from days of no food.  A year ago, the world's fifth-largest steel maker, POSCO, signed an  agreement with the Orissa government to set up a steel plant with a  capacity to produce 12 million tonnes a year.  Availability of raw materials such as iron ore and coal and a booming  domestic market drew the global steel major to Orissa. But thousands  protested, saying the project would drive 20,000 villagers from their  homes and farms.  But the government says the plant would affect only 500 families and  create thousands of jobs. Pressed to get the project moving, the  government last month convinced a handful of villagers not to side with  protesters.  NO FOOD OR WATER  But thousands of angry protesters urged village elders to pass an order  cutting off food and water to those siding with the POSCO project.  “They went against popular will and are paying the price and whoever sides  with them will pay dearly,” Abhaya Sahoo, the leader of the anti-POSCO  movement, told Reuters.   Nrusingha Charan Sahoo, a shopowner who disobeyed and sold rice to a few  starving people was fined 5,000 rupees, while villager Babaji Sahoo was  fined 500 rupees and his goat auctioned for not turning up at a protest  rally last week.  Senior district official Satyabarata Sahoo told Reuters he had asked the  police to step in. "We are trying to help, but the situation is too  tense," senior Police officer Amarandra Panda.  POSCO officials in Bhubaneshwar say they have asked the government to  tackle the issue. "We are extremely sorry for them, and hope the problem  is solved," POSCO official Soo Jung Kim says.  Meanwhile, Maguni Kandi, 70, and some of her fellow villagers are living  on reserve food. Others are eating backyard vegetables and buying some  rations from more remote villages. "On most days, we are starving with  hardly a morsel of boiled rice to eat," Kandi says

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are not what you do , you do what you are

One's profession and career should be their  hobby, passion and cause

 

Sudarshan Rodriguez,

Project Consultant,

UNDP-GoI Post- Tsunami Environment Initiative

Flat 2B, Adithya Apartments,

38 Balakrishna Road,

Valmiki Nagar,Thiruvanmiyur ,

Chennai-600 041

Tamilnadu, India.

Phone:+91 44 420 19470

Mobile: +91 9840680127

Fax: +91 44 420 19468

 

Email: sudarshanr@yahoo.com

Indian Tidal Power Plant to Threaten Tigers - Critics

Indian Tidal Power Plant to Threaten Tigers - Critics

Mail this story to a friend | Printer friendly version

INDIA: July 3, 2006

KOLKATA, India - Tigers in the world's largest reserve for the big cats are threatened by Indian plans for a tidal power project that will only provide electricity for a few thousand families, scientists and critics said on Friday.

The proposed US$9-million plant will generate just four megawatts of power -- enough to light up 15,000 homes -- as water from tidal rivers is allowed to rise in one of many creeks dissecting the Sunderbans and is then released through a turbine. But conservationists fear large areas of the swampy mangrove park, home to about 280 tigers in the eastern state of West Bengal, will be washed away in the process. "It is too small a power project but has the potential to wipe out tiger habitat and harm the fragile ecology," S.R. Banerjee, state WWF director told Reuters. "We have asked the central government to stop this madness." Three of the 50 or so islands that make up the Indian side of the Sunderbans -- the rest lie in neighbouring Bangladesh -- have been lost to sea erosion in recent years. S.P. Gon Chowdhury, director of the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency and architect of the scheme, said there was no cause for concern. "We will get all necessary clearances before starting the work later this year," he told Reuters. "There will be no threat to the tigers." The state minister for the Sunderbans, Kanti Ganguly, said the environment would be protected and the project was important for improving the livings standards of hundreds of people. "We are going ahead with the project and the environmental hazards will be hardly any because the people behind the project have taken precautions," he told Reuters on Friday. "This project is important for raising the lifestyle of hundreds of villagers as they cannot live in the dark forever. "Once the project strarts later this year the perception of the conservationists will change forever." But environmentalists say it is hard to see how the plant -- which would be India's first tidal power scheme -- can avoid both eroding some areas of the 350 sq km (135 sq mile) park and silting up others as the natural flow of water is disrupted. "Once the canal is blocked by sluice gates, the flow of water will be completely restricted causing widespread sedimentation and siltation," Pranabesh Sanyal, a senior official of the National Coastal Zone Management Authority, said. "This will lead to eventual destruction of a large part of the mangrove," he said of the region where the river Ganges flows into the Bay of Bengal. The state government plans to construct two sluice gates at either end of the Durgaduani creek, which connects two rivers. During high tides, sea water will be allowed into the creek and as the level rises it will be released through a turbine. Over the past year, Indian officials, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have expressed alarm at reports of a dramatic fall in the tiger population because of rampant poaching and human encroachment on leading sanctuaries. A century ago, there were about 40,000 tigers in India but according to official estimates, there are now barely 3,600 and some wildlife experts say there could be fewer than 2,000. A single tiger can fetch up US$50,000 on the black market.

Story by Bappa Majumda

 

 http://www.planetark.com/avantgo/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=37074

 

 

 

 

India to get first maritime varsity

India to get first maritime varsity
Arun Kumar Das
[ Sunday, July 02, 2006 12:53:19 amTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
 
 
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates

NEW DELHI: Decks have been cleared for establishing the first maritime university in the country.

The Indian Maritime University will come up in Chennai on the patterns of the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Switzerland, and will have three regional campuses - in Mumbai, Vizag and Kolkata.

The draft Bill for the proposed university is being finalised by the shipping ministry in consultation with maritime experts and academicians.

"The Indian Maritime University Bill, 2006, is ready and will be sent to the cabinet for approval before being introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament," says shipping secretary, A K Mohapatra.

"The ministry has already procured 300 acres of land in Chennai and earmarked Rs 200 cr for the university. Work on the complex will commence shortly," he says.
"Though there are many maritime institutions and training centres, there was an urgent need to create a university to regulate them. This will help in eliminating malpractices," he adds.

India is becoming a major supplier of maritime personnel - some 77,000 are employed all over the world, including 22,000 officers.

According to a survey done by the ministry, there will be a shortfall of 46,000 officers worldwide in years to come. "Therefore, creating this university is the need of the hour," says the secretary.

The university will offer about 22 disciplines. These include degrees in marine biology, inland water transport, maritime law, maritime engineering, coastal shipping and multimodal transport.

Though the decision to set up the university was taken two years back, the draft Bill was finalised only now.

Nevertheless, the university will standardise maritime education throughout the country, bringing it at par with world standards, particularly with WMU.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1696492,curpg-2.cms

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are not what you do , you do what you are

One's profession and career should be their  hobby, passion and cause

 

Sudarshan Rodriguez,

Project Consultant,

UNDP-GoI Post- Tsunami Environment Initiative

Flat 2B, Adithya Apartments,

38 Balakrishna Road,

Valmiki Nagar,Thiruvanmiyur ,

Chennai-600 041

Tamilnadu, India.

Phone:+91 44 420 19470

Mobile: +91 9840680127

Fax: +91 44 420 19468

 

Email: sudarshanr@yahoo.com

Vizhinjam port awaiting Central okay: Minister

Our Bureau

---

Assembly statements
Rs 4,360-crore port project to be implemented in three phases.

---

Thiruvananthapuram , June 19

The work on the proposed international container transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam near here will begin immediately after getting the clearance from the Centre, the Minister for Ports, Mr M. Vijayakumar, said in the State Assembly today.

He said that the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) Government had approved a tender submitted by a consortium comprising two Chinese and one Indian companies for implementing the project. The proposal was subsequently forwarded to the Centre for clearance.

The Minister said that the Rs 4,360-crore project is proposed to be implemented in three phases. The first phase, estimated to cost Rs 1,850 crore, is slated be completed within three years after getting the Centre's clearance.

He said that the Government has already earmarked Rs 10 crore for the project. Apart from providing basic infrastructure such as rail, road, electricity and drinking water connection, the Government will also construct two breakwaters, he added.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/06/20/stories/2006062004241900.htm

Overcoming odds

K.K.Mustafah

RECORD RISE: Women engaged in peeling shrimp for export at a shed near Kochi. Seafood exports touched an all-time high last fiscal, with 5.12 lakh tonnes worth Rs 7,000 crore ($1.5 billion) being shipped.

The rise in exports, by over 11 per cent both in terms of volume and earnings compared with the previous year, comes despite Indian seafood facing anti-dumping proceedings in the US.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/06/20/stories/2006062002650800.htm

Marine export can touch $4 billion by 2010’

KOCHI, JUNE 19:  India can raise its marine products export to $4 billion by 2010 from $1.6 billion if it has the right infrastructure, Kerala Seafood Exporters’ Association president Anwar Hashim said on Monday. Water and transport are the areas that need urgent attention, he added. “Quality of water and transport in seafood processing sector in India needs substantial improvement,” Mr Hashim said. “EU countries insist on quality of water in processing plans as well as their surroundings,” he added. Treatment of effluents from marine products processing plants is another major infrastructure issue facing the sector. “We need to have common effluent treatment facilities in major marine processing centres,” he said. Primitive state of transport infrastructure in fish landing centres across the country also calls for substantial improvement. “We even lack proper roads to many fishing harbors. The government should take urgent steps to address the problem.” —CRISIL MarketWire http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=131159

Shrimp exporters for out-of-court settlement to escape US duty review

Shrimp exporters for out-of-court settlement to escape US duty review

AJAYAN

Posted online: Monday, June 19, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

KOCHI, JUNE 18: In a bid to escape the administrative review of US anti-dumping duty on shrimp, exporters from Thailand, Ecuador and Vietnam are believed to have gone in for an out-of-court settlement with the petitioners Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA). A commerce ministry official said during the recent video conferencing the ministry had with the US department of commerce (DoC), the matter was taken up and the officials sought confirmation about the legality and validity of the settlement. However, the DoC officials said they were not aware of any such deals. According to exporters who took up the matter with the ministry, fears of an increase in the duty after the review, process for which had already begun, had forced some of the exporters to go in for such a deal. It was alleged that exporters would pay some relief in the form of a percentage ranging from 1% to 2% to the petitioners SSA. This would ensure a huge amount to the domestic industry represented by the SSA. As the petitioners will not press the case during the review, the duty will remain at the present level for these countries. In case there was a ‘default’ in payment of the settlement amount, the petitioners can take up a case for higher duty the next year. While the video conference was to discuss issues pertaining to sampling and the DoC trying to allay fears of the industry, the issue of ‘settlement’, which would run into crores, and besides the payment due to the domestic industry on account of collection of duty had been a serious point of discussion, said the official. Exporters said the matter had been taken up by importers in the US, who are now demanding the DoC should look into the matter, and ask the SSA to come public on settlement deal. The whole issue of the shrimp import hurting the domestic industry in the US was ‘farce,’ they added.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=130996

Progress at Gangavaram

Ch. R. S. Sarma

WORK APACE at Gangavaram port.

The row that erupted in recent months over the construction of the Gangavaram port, and the consequent displacement (and rehabilitation) of fishermen, has subsided and peace is returning to the fishing village of Gangavaram.

The fishermen have agreed to the revised rehabilitation package announced by the Government and the stage is set for shifting the boats to Yarada. They have given up the demand for construction of a jetty in the vicinity of the village at Nallamarammapatalu.

Construction work at the port site is progressing at a brisk pace. The first phase of the project may be ready by December 2007, as scheduled, and there may not be further delay, as apprehended initially.

In fact, though a few days were lost, there was not much disruption of work and even the prolonged dry spell in June helped the cause.

Logistical advantage

Now that the dust has settled and there are no hurdles to the port project, it is hoped that the project will be completed as per schedule.

There is no doubt that the Gangavaram port, situated close to the Visakhapatnam Steel plant, will be of logistical advantage to the plant and other industries coming up in the region.

The steel plant, in particular, will be benefited, as the port, with a depth of 21 metres, will facilitate the berthing of larger vessels, resulting in considerable freight reduction.

The master plan for the port envisages the construction of 29 berths, with a cargo handling capacity of 200 million tonnes, and the "cargo-handling will be fully mechanised in conformity with the best international standards,'' claim the port officials.

The consortium, headed by Mr D. V. S. Raju, is constructing the port, with Integrax Berhad (Malaysia) as the technical partner. Earlier, the Dubai Port International was providing technical assistance for the project.

Notified area

Though the controversy over the port construction has subsided, there are still some issues engaging public attention. The Government's proposal to notify the area of the Gangavaram port (1,800 acres) and exclude it from the purview of the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation, is being debated.

There is opposition to the proposal not only from the political parties such as the CPM, which led the fishermen's agitation, but also from non-governmental organisations such as the Forum for Better Visakha.

In a letter to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, Mr E. A. S. Sarma, former Energy Secretary and the forum co-ordinator, has said that the preferential treatment to the Gangavaram Port is not warranted.

According to Mr Sarma, "such a notification will deprive the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation of its legitimate share in the tax and non-tax revenues from the economic activity taking place within the territorial limits of the Gangavaram port."

"We, at the forum, are apprehensive of the Government's intentions in extending this special treatment to the Gangavaram Port and we are opposed to it," he said in the letter.

In the larger context of the Gangavaram port construction and development, however, the notification issue may be a minor one.

The State government, however, cannot afford to ignore the sentiments of the public as expressed by the forum, especially in the light of the controversy over the port construction.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061900130600.htm

New purse seine nets changing fishing practices in State

K.S. Sudhi

Increased mesh size yielding better catch

RICH HARVEST: Fishermen bringing to the vessel the fish they caught using the modified purse seine fishing net.

Kochi: Purse seine nets and its smaller version ring seine may be the most criticised fishing gears in Kerala. The nets were known as ``adakkom kolli'' (total destructor) in local parlance as they caused widespread destruction to fish wealth due to the small mesh size of the net. Even the juveniles of fishes could not escape the net due to the mesh size ranging between 10 mm and 20 mm.

Now the purse seine nets are making a comeback in the fishing sector of Kochi with changes in mesh size and yielding improved catches. The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi, has come up with a suggestion for changes in the mesh size of the net that has found acceptance among the fishing community of Kochi.

It was at the request of Manassery Matsya Thozhilali Vikasana Kshema Sahakarana Sanghom in 2004 that the institute started working on improving the net and making it suitable for netting hitherto untapped fish varieties.

"The result was encouraging as the catches and revenue went up nearly three fold," said Vincent Panackkal, one of the group members that started using the net first.

"The sanghom approached the institute in 2004 with a request for technical advice that could salvage the purse seine boats which were facing hard times. It was at this juncture that the fishing technology division of the institute suggested the modifications in the net and supported fishermen to use the new one," said K. Devadasan, director of the institute.

The number of purse seine boats in Kochi had come down drastically. According to available information, the number of such vessels was 17 in 2000-2003 period. Earlier, nearly 100 such vessels operated in Kochi alone.

"At first the fishermen were a bit sceptical about the new net and there were issues related to the balance of the net. Now with the modified version, the catch has increased and that too, of high value fish with bigger sizes, more fishermen are coming forward to use the net," said B. Meena Kumari, head of the division. She was assisted by P. Pravin of the division in modifying the net.

"With the net having increased mesh size, we got mackerels, tuna and even black pomfrets during the last season. These are some of the untapped segments in which we are focusing now," said Mr. Panakkal.

According to information reaching the institute, at least four fishermen have opted for this net in 2005 while some others have placed orders with Matsyafed for the new nets. Each net costs around Rs.8 lakhs and the vessels using these nets require at least 25 fishermen for the operation.

The new version of Purse seine should be considered as a conservation measure as it will not net juveniles. At the same time, it also ensures good income to the fishermen making the fishing activity with purse seine nets profitable, said Mr. Devadasan.

While being enthusiastic about the success of the new adaptation of the once decried fishing net, the fisheries experts cautioned that the unregulated use of the gear could be destructive as well.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061919340300.htm

M.Sc. course in marine geology to be scrapped

Staff Correspondent

Only five to six students enrolled for the course in the past five years Very few students enrolled for the course in Mangalore University during the past five years

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Lack of job opportunities for postgraduates in marine geology is the main reason for poor enrolment

Teaching prospects are limited as not many universities offer this course

A new two-year M.Sc course in "Earth Science and Resource Management" will be introduced

---

MANGALORE: The Mangalore University has decided to discontinue its postgraduate course in marine geology from the academic year 2006-07 for want of students, according to sources in the university.

Marine geology course is one of the oldest postgraduate courses in the university introduced two decades ago as a region-specific course. This course was able to attract only five to six students in the past five years, sources told The Hindu .

Lack of job opportunities for those doing this M.Sc. course was the main reason for poor enrolment. Mangalore University was the only one in the State which was offering this course. Not many universities in the country offer marine geology course.

Hence job opportunities for postgraduation degree holders in teaching are also limited.

However, the university will not wind up the Marine Geology Department as it is already offering another two-year M.Sc. course in Geo Informatics.

In the place of Marine Geology course, a new two-year M.Sc course in "Earth Science and Resource Management" will be introduced.

Syllabi ready

A committee set up by the university has already prepared the syllabi for the new course. The Academic Council has approved the draft amendments in regulations pertaining to the introduction of the new course.

The amendments have been sent to the Government for approval. If the Governor, who is the Chancellor of the university approves them, the university will introduce the new course from the academic year 2006-07. Winding up of the marine geology course would not affect the faculty of the department, sources said.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061917020300.htm

Fisheries sector cool to Centre's decision

Special Correspondent

To set up National Fisheries Development Board

KOCHI: Kerala's marine fisheries sector is lukewarm to the Central Government's decision to set up a National Fisheries Development Board.

Leaders of unions and associations of different segments of the sector told The Hindu that the board could never be an alternative to their long-standing demand for setting up a separate Fisheries Ministry at the Centre. Formulation of a national fisheries policy and its implementation by an independent ministry should be the key step to stem the current crisis in the sector, they said.

The Union Cabinet had on Friday given its stamp of approval to the National Fisheries Development Board, to be set up with a Rs.2,100-crore budget over a period of six years.

The board will aim to increase the country's annual fish production by 3.9 million tonnes by the end of the six years. It would also encourage professional management practices, promote intensive aquaculture, reservoir fishery, brackish water aquaculture, mariculture and seaweed cultivation; development of infrastructure and streamlining of domestic marketing.

Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal, leader of the Kerala State Fishing Boat Operators, said that to address the current crisis in the fishing sector, an independent Union Ministry for Fisheries should be set up immediately. At present four Union Ministries were handling the fisheries sector — Agriculture Ministry for fishing, Commerce for fish export, Food Processing for fish processing and Finance for funding. This multiple control ends up in confusion and lack of coordination, he said.

Lal Koyilparambil of the Kerala Swathanthra Matsyathozhilali Federation said that depletion of fish resources was the key problem and a board set up under the Societies Act could hardly resolve this.

In his view, the board could turn out to be just another breeding ground for bureaucrats as was the case with the several Kochi-based Central institutions mandated to carry out research in the sector. He believes that the formulation of a clear-cut national fisheries policy is the immediate need and an independent Union Ministry could do this. He said the Union Government was mum on the P. Murari Committee that had made very crucial recommendations, including an end to deep-sea fishing by foreign trawlers.

The new board, he feared, would end up serving the interests of marine exporters rather than those of fish workers.

Charles George of Kerala Matsyathozhilali Aikya Vedi said the setting up of the board was partial ceding of the sector's demand for a separate Fishing Ministry. He wanted the board to be headquartered in Kochi in view of the presence of several fisheries-related institutions and agencies.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061919320300.htm

Stir against fish import, foreign trawlers

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: To protest the Centre's move to allow import of fish from Thailand, the Fisheries Coordination Committee (FCC), a collective of different interest groups in the fisheries sector in Kerala, has decided not to let ships carrying fish cargo into the Kochi harbour.

Leaders of several organisations of fish workers, at a meeting of boat owners and traditional fishermen, also decided not to allow foreign fishing vessels into the harbour or the waters off the Kochi shore. The FCC, which has been campaigning against foreign trawlers and joint ventures that fish in deep sea for long, has been incensed by the move to import fish from Thailand. Following an Indo-Thai trade accord fish could be imported duty-free.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061907040700.htm

Environmental outfit fears water pollution from oil spill

Environmental outfit fears water pollution from oil spill
Monday June 19 2006 11:51 IST

SIRSI: Owing to the oil slick from a privately owned ship, �MV Ocean Sereya�, which hit an offshore rock at the Devagadh lighthouse in Karwar, near here recently, the Vrukshalaksha Andolan, an environmental organisation, suspects severe water pollution and has urged for a detailed study by concerned experts.

Speaking to reporters at Karwar, Ananth Hegde of the organisation, said apart from the oil slick, other dangerous components like lead, mercury, tin and other chemicals, might cause water pollution.

The organisation urged for a detailed study by the Goa National Institute of Oceanography and said the district administration, Department of Port and Ships and the Coast Guard, should take the necessary steps to prevent such mishaps in future.

Dc admits leakage: It was possible to remove 226 tonnes of oil from the ill-fated �M V Ocean Sereya� ship and the remaining 430 tonnes of oil were already spilt, said Deputy Commissioner of Uttar Kannada district, Reeteshkumar Singh.

Speaking to reporters recently, he said a detailed study on the leakage and its effect, had been carried out and in the last 12 days, underwater experts, ship salvage party and other parties, had succeeded in removing oil from the tankers. Efforts to take out the dilapidated ship from the sea would be initiated only after the monsoon, he added.

Regarding the mishap, the director general of Water Transport, had demanded a bank guarantee of Rs 17.75 crore from the ship owner as compensation, he said, adding that, sufficient precautionary measures were taken to control water pollution.

The department of Fisheries had demanded Rs 20 lakh compensation from the ship owner and the district administration and the department of Port would also demand appropriate compensation from the shipping company, he added.
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Lankan Navy fires at Indian fishermen

Lankan Navy fires at Indian fishermen
Monday June 19 2006 00:00 IST

RAMANATHAPURAM: Tension gripped Rameswaram island as the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire at a fishing boat early on Sunday.

Namburajan (21), a fisherman of Natarajapuram in Rameswaram, sustained injuries in the firing. Sources said, Namburajan and three other fishermen � Nambuvel, Rajendran and Ramanathan of Rameswaram � had ventured into the sea on Saturday morning.

They were fishing off Katchativu when a Lankan Navy patrol came by and opened fire at the boat.

The fishermen immediately veered their boat around to return ashore, when one of the bullets hit Namburajan on his face, badly injuring him.

His boat-mates brought Namburajan ashore and admitted him to a hospital in Rameswaram, wherefrom he was shifted to Ramanathapuram Government Headquarters Hospital. He was then referred to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital, where his condition is said to be critical.

Of the about 800 mechanised boats in operation on the island, as many as 709 boats, each carrying four fishermen went to sea on Saturday morning, sources said. Fisheries Department officials said an announcement on the war-like situation in Sri Lanka would be made to the fishermen from Monday onwards and they would be asked to be cautious.

Meanwhile, Namburajan�s mother Sethu Rani, told journalists in Madurai that she had lost her husband Nagalingam in 1993 in a firing by the Lankan Navy and now her son too had been shot at.
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