GOMBRT DIRECTOR Speaks at FCRI Thoothukudi about Island Tourism and Fishing Ban

Date:05/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/06/05/stories/2010060561540700.htm
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Tamil Nadu

67 coastal villages adopted

For enhancing alternative livelihood resources for fisher folk
— Photo: N. Rajesh

ADVICE:Aruna Basu Sarkar, Director, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust, addressing a meeting organised by the Fisheries College and Research Institute in Tuticorin on Thursday.
Tuticorin: With the objective of conserving fishery resources for sustainable livelihood of fishermen, an awareness programme was organised at Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI) here on Thursday.

During the programme, the fishermen were advised to follow the code of conduct as enunciated by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The stock of fish species could be enhanced if the ban on fishing was monitored effectively, P. Thangaraju, Vice Chancellor, TANUVAS, said.

He narrated the negative impact of fishing while the ban was in force.

The mesh size regulation of trawl net should be taken into consideration. Catching fish with the help of trawl net should not be entertained, especially in reef dominated coastal waters.

“About 30 lakh people depend on fishing activities in India and over 16 lakh people rely on flora and fauna. Hence conserving the coastal and fishery resources is increasingly important,” Dr. Thangaraju said.

Aruna Basu Sarcar, Chief Conservator of Forest and Director, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust, said that 67 coastal villages along Tuticorin had been adopted for enhancing alternative livelihood resources for fisher folk.

A team of representatives under eco development committee and village marine committee was carrying out a series of awareness programmes about dos and don'ts of fishing.

To create awareness of survival of endangered species and marine living organisms like corals and seaweed along the Gulf of Mannar, five glass-bottom boats would be procured.

It would be made operational for students of FCRI and likeminded people for studying the situation.

A hatchery for marine ornamental fish would be established at Mandapam and crab fattening methods would be disseminated to fisher folk in Sethukarai, Keelakarai zone of Ramnathapuram district. The programme manual was released.

M.C. Nandeesha, Dean, FCRI, spoke. V.K. Venkataramani, Director, Research and Extension, and Professor Venkatasami were present.

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