Draft Marine Fisheries Bill | A netting trouble

The draft Marine Fisheries Bill has evoked a lot of criticism not only from the fishing community that claims it goes against its interests, but also from the States that believe there are provisions that will infringe on federalism

On July 20, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against moving the Indian Marine Fisheries Bill, 2021, in Parliament, contending that many of its provisions went against the interests of the local fishermen and certain clauses infringed upon the rights of the States. Contending that the proposed Bill had many disturbing clauses, including criminalisation and imprisonment of fishermen, use of force against fishermen and levy of charges and huge penalties, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, which has a substantial coastline, pushed for a wider debate. On July 22, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Lok Sabha members Thol. Thirumavalavan and D. Ravikumar, elected from the coastal districts of Cuddalore and Villupuram, met Union Minister for Fisheries Parshottam Rupala in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum opposing various provisions of the Bill. “The Bill treats fishing as a criminal activity and fishermen as criminals. It provides for licences, imposes hefty fines and attempts to create a corpus fund with the fine amount. It also encroaches upon the rights of the State government,” contended Mr. Ravikumar, who convened a meeting of fishermen in Villupuram.