'Won't allow foreign vessels to fish in EEZ'

KOCHI: The Union agriculture ministry has said that foreign vessels will not be allowed to fish in the Indian exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Fisheries development commissioner B Vishnu Bhat has assured the fishing community that any final decision on B Meenakumari committee recommendations related to fishing in Indian EEZ will be taken in consultation with the defence ministry.
In reply to a letter sent by Kerala fisheries coordination committee chairman V Dinakaran, the commissioner said the recommendation of the Meenakumari committee for creation of a buffer zone will not be accepted.
He said the Union agriculture ministry had, in March, convened a consultation meeting, which was attended by fisheries ministers of all coastal states and the defence minister. "All issues raised on the recommendations of the expert committee have been noted," the reply said.
The fishing community had sought the cancellation of the order issued by the agriculture ministry on deep-sea fishing on November 12, 2014 with immediate effect. However, the ministry replied that guidelines for fishing operations in the EEZ were revised to ensure hassle-free operation of fishing vessels in the zone by Indian entrepreneurs and sustainable exploitation of deep-sea fishery resources.
It said the public notice and guidelines for fishing in the EEZ beyond the 12 nautical miles was issued so that any Indian entrepreneur could venture in deep-sea fishing and they would not affect the livelihood concerns of traditional fishermen.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the fishermen committee had demanded that the Meenakumari committee report should be rejected and a new report should be submitted after considering the recommendations of the 1993 Murari committee report and suggestions of fishermen organizations.
The organizations had sought a review of the G Syda Rao committee report on review of the ban period by considering the social condition of fisherfolk. "A majority of state ministers had agreed on extending the ban period for 61 days from the existing 47 days based on the findings of the technical committee. Accordingly, an order had been issued for implementation of uniform fishing ban in EEZ," the letter said.
The development commissioner said the Centre would favourably consider the demand for provision of fuel for mechanized boats and craft on subsidy rates to states.