Kerala's new fisheries policy on Oct 29

 Saying that the expert committee set up under the Fisheries Director would submit its recommendations on October 28 at a meeting in Thiruvanathapuram, the minister said the same day the state government has convened a meeting of MLAs and MPs from the coastal belt to discuss those recommendations.

 And the next day, a four-member ministerial sub-committee comprising himself, state agriculture minister K R Gowri, cooperation minister M V Raghavan and labour minister Babu Divakaran would finalise the policy after perusing the recommendations, Thomas added.

 Fisheries experts are hoping that the new policy would provide for the implementation of innovative schemes to ensure the economic development of the poor fishermen through improvement in fish production using latest technology.

 They are also expecting the state government to come up with effective schemes envisaged for the welfare of the traditional fishing community and aimed at eradicating poverty amidst them.

 The policy is also expected to announce schemes for setting up cold chains and fish marketing centers in various districts through funding from the Kerala State Cooperative Federation for Fisheries Development (Matsyafed).

 Other major issue that the policy is likely to address is the demand for immediate action to prevent boats from outside the state fishing in the seas along the Kerala coastline.