Kerala seeks relaxation in Meenakumari Commission recommendations on fishing

Also seeks roll back of the extension of trawling ban from the earlier 47 days to 61 days

The Kerala government has urged the Centre to relax the recommendations of the Meenakumari Commission that were alleged to be anti-fishermen, and also sought the roll back of the extension of trawling ban from the earlier 47 days to 61 days, K Babu, Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Excise, said today.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new academic block of the Pozhiyoor Upper Primary (UP) school in Thiruvananthapuram district, he said the 47-day ban by the state government had affected only motorised boats having more than 10 horse power (hp).

However, he said the 61-day blanket ban by the Centre was applicable to all boats, including country vessels, which would have an adverse affect on the livelihoods and development of residents in coastal area.

The minister also noted that he, along with the chief minister Oommen Chandy and other officials would take up the matter seriously with the Prime Minister.