Fishermen cutting nets to save rare species will be compensated in Maharashtra

In a first for Maharashtra, fishermen who cut their nets to free protected marine mammals and fish, will now be entitled to a compensation of up to Rs 25,000 under the latest Mangrove Foundation's conservation project.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), Mangrove Cell, N Vasudevan, said that the project has been cleared by the Mangrove Foundation's board and will be rolled out soon. A provision of Rs 25 lakh has already been made by the foundation for this project for the year 2018-19.

"On several occasions, marine mammals such as turtles, dolphins and even protected fish like saw fish and guitar fish get entangled in the nets of fishermen. Even if the fishermen want to release them, it becomes economically unviable for them to do so. So, to enable conservation, we have decided to compensate them," said Vasudevan. He added that they were following the Gujarat model, where the forest department compensates fishermen for rescuing whale sharks, They, however, plan to include more species.

As per officials of the Mangrove Cell, the losses and subsequent compensation will be assessed by the Fisheries department and the fishermen will also have to produce photographic evidence to claim the amount. "Fisheries department, which works closely with fishermen organisations and societies, will help us raise awareness on this project, across Maharashtra. We are involving the fishing community in such projects, where even they stand to gain and many endangered marine animals are saved in turn," said Jayaramegowda R, Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), Mangrove Cell.

The fishing community welcomed the move. They said dolphins get stuck in their fishing nets the most and the loss incurred in cutting the nets is indeed the prime reason why many rethink the decision to release turtles, other fish that get entangled. Now that they have been ensured compensation they would actively participate in conserving the rare species. The need of the hour now is to avoid red-tapeism and ensure that fishermen are not made to run from pillar to post.

LIVES SAVED

Marine life enthusiast Pradip Patade, who has been documenting Mumbai's marine life and working closely with the fishing community, said this move will save the lives of many dolphins and saw fish. "Awareness on this scheme needs to be spread adequately and we are willing to help with the same," he said.