Kochi: A fishing boat returns after a fishing expedition amid rainfall, in Kochi, Kerala
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Voicing concern over the proposed amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act through the draft regulations, the Kerala Fishworkers’ Coordination Committee has urged the Centre to hold detailed consultations with coastal States and representatives of fish workers before finalising the document.A transparent and inclusive consultation process would help address genuine concerns and lead to a more practical, balanced and widely accepted policy, said Charles George, president of the Coordination Committee.In a representation submitted to the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, George said the manner in which the draft had been prepared was itself a matter of concern. Instead of consulting coastal State governments and recognised fish workers’ organisations, the Centre had organised discussions through fisheries departments, with only selected stakeholders. Given the significance of the proposed regulations, wider consultations with State governments and representatives of fishing communities were essential, he said.Around three lakh fishing vessels operate within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the vast majority of them engaged in subsistence and small-scale fisheries. Industrial fishing is not the dominant form of fishing in the country, with the sector remaining largely labour-intensive. However, the draft appears to place undue emphasis on industrial fishing, which could eventually lead to the concentration of the sector in the hands of a few large operators. This concern is further reinforced by the proposal to introduce access passes for fishing vessels operating beyond territorial waters, he said.The majority of India’s fishing fleet comprises traditional wooden vessels. In Kerala alone, thousands of small fishing canoes, including the recently introduced thermocol canoes, provide livelihood to a large number of fishers. While the draft appears to encourage industrial fishing, it overlooks these ground realities and the need to protect traditional fishing communities, he added.George also pointed out that collisions involving fishing vessels occur frequently in Kerala waters. Despite this, the draft does not adequately address this critical safety issue, he alleged.Published on August 3, 2026
