The World Forum Of Fisher People’s (WFFP) International Meeting Will Be Held
From 14th July To 19th July, 2015 At Pondicherry, India
By National Fish Workers Forum
07 July, 2015
Countercurrents.org
Thiruvananthapuram: In a press release Mr. M. Ilango Ex MLA, Chairperson of National Fish Workers Forum (NFF) and Mr. T. Peter, National Secretary of NFF said the following:
The World Forum of Fisher People’s (WFFP) was the outcome of the meet of the leaders of the International fisher communities held at New Delhi in 1997.The World Forum of Fisher People’s (WFFP) International meeting will be held from 14th July to 19th July, 2015 at Pondicherry, India. The fisher community leaders from 30 countries including USA, UK, France, Italy, Canada, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Spain, Kenya, Denmark, Argentina, Brazil and Mauritania will participate in the meeting.
As the meet is happening in India, it is proposed to give special focus to the issues of the Indian fisher communities. The following issues of the Indian traditional fisher people will be taken for consideration:
· Indian deep sea shall be devoid of permission given to the foreign fishing vessels.
· No more LOP shall be given to the corporate fishing companies.
· Indian traditional fisher communities shall be encouraged to venture into deep sea fishing.
· Preventing the land and ocean grabbing done by outsiders in the coast and sea, depriving the right to habitat of the fisher communities shall be given up and new legislation to protect the habitat rights of the fisher communities shall be introduced.
· Enabling Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen to fish in the sea between India and Sri Lanka, similarly the fishermen of Gujarat and fishermen of Pakistan shall be helped to fish in the waters between India and Pakistan without being harassed.
· The navy and coast guards of all the three nations – India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan – shall be instructed not to shoot at or harass the fishermen in the territorial waters and shall be instructed to follow the UN law of the seas.
The leaders of the various countries will be given a grand reception as per the Indian traditions. Of the 6 days programme, the first two days (July 14thand15th ) will be a workshop on “The International Guidelines on securing sustainable small scale fisheries”.
Apart from the international leaders, representatives of the member fisher organizations of NFF from various coastal states will participate in the workshop.
The valedictory function of the two days workshop will be held in a hotel at Pondicherry at 5.00 pm on 15thJuly 2015.Mr.N.Rangasamy, the Honourable Chief minister of Pondicherry will be Chief Guest on the valedictory function.
M. Ilango Ex MLA, ( Chairperson, NFF )
09345455122
T. Peter, ( National Secretary, NFF )
08289905239
.
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