Rampant commercial fishing killing marine life in Mumbai

Fishermen in the city have pressed the panic button and said that marine life and ecology of the sea in and around Mumbai is in danger.

They say this is due to government’s failure to curb rampant fishing by large businessmen and traders, which even continues during the monsoon season, despite a ban.

Fishermen have quoted a recent report submitted by scientists the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute saying that the number of species of fishes and the fish-catch was on the decline, caller for closer monitoring of the situation.

“No fishing is allowed after June 15, but if you visit to the ferry wharf even today, you will find rampant fishing by huge trawlers on. We are meeting fisheries minister Madhukar Chavan on Monday to raise this issue,” said Damodar Tandel, fishermen’s leader.

Tandel cited a recent report by the marine fisheries research institute saying that fishing operations by trawlers, large gill netters had extended in the sea up to 100m depth zone (20-25 nautical miles), while the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra Marine Fisheries Act was limited to territorial waters of 12 nautical miles only.

“There is a worrisome trend of use of purse seines (a huge net that is spread over 3km radius to catch bulk fish) by large businessmen. It costs about Rs15 lakh to set up such nets.

Earlier, there were just two and today there are about 600 nets and Maharashtra is the only state having such nets,” he added.

Marine scientist Sadashiv Gopal Raje said that the study has recommended strict monitoring of such activities. “Marine life and ecology is severely affected by such extensive fishing and we have done research to study the trend,” he said.