Karwar: In order to safeguard marine life, especially the various species of fish, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has decided to set guidelines for fishermen/women regarding fishing.
The CMFRI has submitted a report to the Centre which states that there are 19 different species of fish found in the coastal belt of the state. These fishes are caught using mesh. Hence, the CMFRI has suggested the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries to legally reduce the size of the mesh, so that a large number of fishes are not caught, resulting in a decline of the fish breed.
As per the study carried out by the CMFRI, it is found that the size of the mesh ranges from 20 to 35 millimetres. But some of the fishing companies were using less than 20 mm mesh, which catches even the baby fish. This has a negative impact on the fish population, which would result in the extinction of several of the fish species in the future.
According to the guidelines set by the ministry based on the CMFRI report, the mesh size to catch fishes like Tuna, Pomfret etc has been reduced. In the state, a rule has been passed under the Karnataka Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 1986 Section 3, Clause 2, including stringent action for violating the law.
Meanwhile, the exact punishment for violations has not yet been specified.
