CM Stalin asks Centre to secure release of 12 T.N. fishermen detained by Maldivian Coast Guard
- October 29, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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CM Stalin asks Centre to secure release of 12 T.N. fishermen detained by Maldivian Coast Guard
Subject : Geography
Section: Physical geography
Context:
- The fishermen had ventured into the sea from the Tharuvaikulam fish landing centre in Thoothukudi in a mechanized fishing boat, bearing the registration number IND–TN–12–MM-6376, were apprehended by the Coast Guard near Thinadhoo Island.
Thinadhoo (Huvadhu Atoll):
- Thinadhoo City is the capital of Gaafu Dhaalu region in the atoll of Huvadhu, Maldives.
Atoll:
- It is a ring-shaped island, including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon.
- 60 Atolls are located in warm tropical or subtropical parts of the oceans and seas where corals can develop.
Deep sea fishing in India:
- Fishing at least 100 feet deep in waters far from the shore is known as deep-sea fishing, also known as large game or offshore fishing.
- Fishing operations in the open ocean, beyond the continental margin, are referred to as deep-sea fishing.
- The country’s Blue Revolution goal to fully utilize fishing resources within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone has included deep sea fishing as a key component (EEZ).
- Types of deep sea fishing:
- Trolling: A technique in which a lure or bait is drawn through the water behind a moving boat. The lure is designed to attract fish to bite.
- Bottom fishing: A technique in which the bait is dropped to the bottom of the sea. The trick can be left on the bottom or lifted slightly off the bottom to attract fish.
- Jigging: is a technique in which a weighted lure is dropped to the bottom of the sea and lifted and lowered to attract fish.
- Drifting: This is a technique in which the boat is allowed to drift along with the current while bait is deployed. The bait can be on the surface or suspended at a depth to attract fish.
- Chumming: This is a technique in which fish bait is scattered over the water to attract fish.
- Deep dropping: This is a technique in which the bait is dropped to the bottom of the sea, usually in depths of several hundred meters, to catch deep-sea species
- Potential of deep sea fishing in India:
- The potential of tuna fishery (a form of deep sea fishing) in the Indian Ocean, was estimated by Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) with the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for Yellowfin tuna at 3.44 lakh tonnes and have reported that for sustainable production the exploitation shall not exceed 3 lakh tonnes.
- The non-convential deep sea resources available in our waters also provide ample scope for exploitation. The deep sea shrimps like Metapenaeopsis andamanensis, Aristeus alcocki, Pleasonkins spinipes etc., deep sea oceanic squids and deep sea fishes like Myctophids (Lantern fish) also provide great scope for exploitation.
- Government steps:
- Department of fisheries, GoI has come up with a draft national fisheries policy which empowers the Coastal State Governments / Union Territories through delegation of powers to grant Marine Fishing Licenses for the EEZ and high seas.
- It also encourages and empowers small scale fishers and fisher groups for undertaking resource specific deep sea fishing for harnessing untapped potential of high value resources like tuna and tuna like species, myctophids and oceanic squids in a sustainable manner within the EEZ and High Seas, in compliance with international agreements / arrangements.
- Further, for effective utilization of the deep sea fishery resources, steps to support fishing vessels with additional capacity to undertake extended voyages by infusion of modern technology and capacity building is also being initiated.
- Introduction of modern electronic equipment such as GPS, Fish Finder and other communication devices have paved the way for multi day fishing and triggered the pace for deep sea fishing.
- Challenges in deep sea fishing:
- Overfishing, Bycatch ( the accidental capture of non-target species during deep-sea fishing), Habitat destruction, Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF), expensive and logistically difficult, fishermans enter the EEZ of another country for deep sea fishing and get caught by coastal guards.