VISAKHAPATNAM: A group of traditional fishermen under the banner of "Ring Valala Vyatireka Ikyavedika" alleged that despite the ban, some fishermen in and around Vizag have been using the ring net in the restricted area of the Bay of Bengal. They also alleged that the ring nets have hit hard to the livelihood of traditional fishermen but no action was initiated till now.
Tedu Shankar of Ikyavedika said that a ring net is a long net that is used to surround fish with a wall of netting. It captures everything that it encloses. He said that the ring net used by some fishermen leaves local and traditional fishermen with no catch.
Though the ban on using the ring nets was announced by the AP high court, the use of ring nets continues in parts of Vizag district, alleged Shankar. A few years ago, the number of ring nets was 42 and the fisheries department had given permission to use only 13 ring nets.
Now, the number of ring nets in Vizag and Bheemili areas was 115 and of them only 8 ring nets were given permission. We have been opposing the ring nets citing that the nets will catch small fishes, leading to depletion of marine life and would hit the livelihood of traditional fishermen. The nets also harm endangered marine species, he added.
It may be recalled that the simmering discontent between traditional and ring net fishermen in Vizag turned into a full-on battle off Vizag coast in January this year. At least six fishermen were injured, six fishing boats were set ablaze and section 144 imposed at Peda Jalaripeta in the incident.
Though we have been appealing to the authorities of the fisheries department, district administration and coastal security police to initiate action against those who are using ring nets in Vizag coast, the authorities have utterly failed. Since the authorities have failed to curb the ring nets menace, we will chalk out plans against the ring nets and if any law and order issue arises, the authorities will sole response, expressed the other members of the traditional fishermen group.
