Fishing in Kerala will be banned for 52 days, will come into effect from midnight today
Fishing will be banned in Kerala from midnight tonight for 52 days. The ban will be in place till the midnight of July 31. A meeting convened by the state fisheries minister took the final decision on the ban on May 18.
Staff Editor 
A 52-day ban on fishing in Kerala's coastal waters will come into effect from Friday midnight. The state government has recently decided to implement an annual ban on 'Trolling', the most common method of fishing, from June 9 to July 31 midnight. Official sources said that a notification in this regard was also issued recently.
Final decision on ban on 18th May
- As per the data, the trawling ban is in force on over 3800 trawl boats, over 500 gillnet boats and purse seine vessels engaged in fishing in the state's waters.
- A meeting of concerned officials and trade union representatives convened by the Fisheries Minister of Kerala took a final decision on the imposition of the ban and allied matters on 18 May, which was later approved for implementation in a cabinet meeting.
- Sources in fishermen association said it was also decided to distribute free ration in fishing hamlets which would be affected due to the ban.
Strict steps should be taken to check the boats of neighboring states
Charles George, State President, Kerala Swatantra Matsyathojhilali Aikyavedi said that not only should trawl boats and other such vessels be checked, but fiber boats of neighboring states encroaching on Kerala waters during the ban period should also be strictly checked Steps should be taken.
According to a statement, he urged the government to amend the Kerala Marine Fisheries Regulation Act in a timely manner after consultation with the fishermen community.
