Port Blair, Mar 8 (UNI) Bottom trawling in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has increased fishermen here have alleged.
Bottom Trawling is prohibited in coastal waters under the Andaman and Nicobar Fisheries Regulation.
The A&N Fisheries regulation is in force, but the rules are observed more in their breach than in observance, alleged Sachin Moira, one of the leaders of south Andaman fishermen.
Fishing circles report that about half a dozen trawlers are engaged in trawling near Shoal Bay Creek, even though the area is very close to the capital city here.
When asked Assistant Director of fisheries E R Ravindran vehemently denied any trawler was registered. He also denied that bottom trawling was continuing.
'' The trawlers haul up demersal fish like chanda, dari, baja along with seaweeds and sea-cucumber apart from other species of bottom fishes. Seaweeds and sea-cucumber are exported whereas the demersal fish are sold to the wholesalers for about Rs 15 per kg,'' fishermen complained.
Ecologists believe that bottom trawling damages the sea floor and also causes immense harm to the marine eco-system. The trawlers use half-an-inch mesh nets that haul up the juveniles too jeopardising the conservation and propagation of the species.
'' No fisheries expert, neither a trained master nor anyone else from the field, is engaged to ensure the conservation aspects are taken care of. Continued trawling might render the area barren,'' said S Ray, an environmentalist of HELP (Healthy Environment and Less Pollution), an NGO, in Andaman Islands.
UNI
Bottom Trawling is prohibited in coastal waters under the Andaman and Nicobar Fisheries Regulation.
The A&N Fisheries regulation is in force, but the rules are observed more in their breach than in observance, alleged Sachin Moira, one of the leaders of south Andaman fishermen.
Fishing circles report that about half a dozen trawlers are engaged in trawling near Shoal Bay Creek, even though the area is very close to the capital city here.
When asked Assistant Director of fisheries E R Ravindran vehemently denied any trawler was registered. He also denied that bottom trawling was continuing.
'' The trawlers haul up demersal fish like chanda, dari, baja along with seaweeds and sea-cucumber apart from other species of bottom fishes. Seaweeds and sea-cucumber are exported whereas the demersal fish are sold to the wholesalers for about Rs 15 per kg,'' fishermen complained.
Ecologists believe that bottom trawling damages the sea floor and also causes immense harm to the marine eco-system. The trawlers use half-an-inch mesh nets that haul up the juveniles too jeopardising the conservation and propagation of the species.
'' No fisheries expert, neither a trained master nor anyone else from the field, is engaged to ensure the conservation aspects are taken care of. Continued trawling might render the area barren,'' said S Ray, an environmentalist of HELP (Healthy Environment and Less Pollution), an NGO, in Andaman Islands.
UNI
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