Mechanised boats powered by banned high horse-power engines were damaging smaller craft, fishing nets and threaten the lives of country boat fishermen in the high seas, said fishermen at the monthly grievance redressal meeting held here on Friday. Tharuvaikulam panchayat president Maharajan said boats with the high-power engines triggered panic among country boat fishermen fishing in their vicinity. The mechanised boats do not have stipulated fishing timings and are operated at high-speed, like trawlers, in the high seas with the help of the banned engines, leading to damage of nets and craft of the country boat fishermen. Since it will lead to clashes on sea and land, the Collector should instruct the officials concerned to check the horse power of the engines of mechanised boats, Mr. Maharajan said. Echoing his view, Gayaz of Manappad said most of the mechanised boats were powered by imported engines with 600 horse power though the State government allowed use of only engines up to 150 HP. These mechanised boats brazenly carry out their operations in areas where only country boats are allowed to do fishing. Consequently, the mechanised boats damage fishing nets, country boats and even pose serious threat to the lives of fishermen of smaller craft. Whenever we seek compensation for the damage we suffer from mechanised boats, they just mock at us. The district administration should put an end to this serious issue, Mr. Gayaz said. Collector M. Ravikumar assured that he would instruct officials to check the mechanised boats for banned engines. Encroachments The Collector also assured the fishermen that encroachments near Therespuram fish landing jetty and illegal structures that had come up along all roads in that area would be removed. Fisherman Johnson said they would never allow implementation of the proposed outer harbour development project as it will wipe out our livelihood. Mr. Ravikumar said a public hearing on the project would be held and views aired by fishermen would be forwarded to the government. The Collector handed over Distress Alert Transmitters to five fishermen at the meeting. The gadget, when fitted in the boats, will enable the fishermen to send SOS in case of distress on high seas and get timely assistance. They brazenly carry out their operations in areas where only country boats are allowed
2016, The Hindu