AIADMK chief Jaya voices opposition to Marine bill

Reaffirming her opposition to the proposed Marine Fisheries Bill, AIADMK chief Jayalalitha today said capping geographical fishing zone to 12 nautical miles would affect fishermen's livelihood and put an end to their traditional vocation.

"It is unavoidable to venture far into the sea for a large catch. In such a situation, the 12 nautical mile ceiling will affect the livelihood of the fishermen and means asking them to end their traditional vocation," she said in a statement here.

She also described as "eyewash" the Centre's decision to hold wider consultations with stakeholders before tabling the bill in the Parliament and said it should not come into existence.
    
"It is condemnable to note that the Centre is trying to bring the Bill at the cost of fishermen's livelihood," she added.

The AIADMK chief had said her party would oppose at the introductory stage itself the Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Bill 2009, which seeks to cap the geographical fishing zone in Indian waters and levy hefty fines for violation of the rules.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi had yesterday sought to take credit for the Centre's decision to defer the proposed Marine Fisheries Bill, saying it was done on his request.