Deep sea fishing is banned for 60 days during the monsoon, but presence of trawlers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Karnataka waters has irked local fishermen. Complaints from fishermen in the region have prompted Dakshina Kannada district administration to write to the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments. Fisheries department has warned that the fishing boats from other states will be confiscated and penalty will be levied on the fishermen if they are found violating the ban. Fishing in the deep seas using mechanized boats has been banned from June 1. However, fishing using traditional boats within 12 nautical miles is allowed. Fishermen complained during a meeting convened by the minister for fisheries K Abhaychandra Jain that fishermen in Karnataka coast are adhering to the ban order by not venturing into deep sea fishing. “The deep sea fishing ban order of the government is being followed by the fishermen in the state without fail. However, fishing boats from Kerala and Tamil Nadu are fishing in Karnataka seas violating the ban,” said Nithin Kumar, fishermen leader. Fisheries department director H S Veerappa Gowda said that letters in this regard have been sent to the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments. “We have written to the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments to stop fishermen fishing in our state’s seas during the ban period. We will take action against those who violate the deep sea fishing ban during this period,” he said. Gowda also requested traditional boat fishermen in the state to inform the department officials if they find fishermen from other states entering deep seas. Minister Jain said that fisheries department will hold camps at all ports and sea shore locations to distribute biometric cards to fishermen, who venture into deep sea fishing. The ten-day long camps will commence from June 20, the minister said and requested all deep sea fishermen to obtain biometric cards through camps.
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