Fishermen from Tamil Nadu claim that phasing out bottom trawlers would preserve the marine habitat

Thoothukudi fishermen, who were protesting the use of mechanized bottom trawling, asked the incoming union government to take the matter seriously and stop this harmful fishing technique in order to save the marine biodiversity in the Gulf of Mannar. Sources claim that when capturing fish, mechanized fishing boats sweep the seabed, and the metal planks used to suspend trawlers harm the bottom, fracture coral reefs, and profoundly disrupt benthic species, all of which have a negative effect on the marine ecosystem.

Environmentalists noted that the use of bottom trawlers has also contributed to the degradation of marine resources since they carelessly bycatch young fish, particularly in the Gulf of Mannar area, which is renowned for its immaculate coral reefs. It should be mentioned that the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve relies heavily on coral reefs to enhance its marine resources. In the British period, these corals were historically mined for building materials in coastal areas.

Meanwhile, the state government began deploying artificial reefs in 200 spots off the coast of six districts: Chennai, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli, in an effort to stem erosion and restore marine biodiversity.

Dr. Gayes, the head of the Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli country boat fishermen welfare organization, said TNIE that removing the trawlers was necessary for the effective restoration of artificial reefs to enhance marine health. He drew attention to the fact that more than 72 unregistered mechanized fishing boats outfitted with trawlers are being operated out of Thoothukudi fishing harbor without being subject to any legal action.

Since the 1970s, bottom trawlers have been in operation. In the Palk Bay regions, significant measures were implemented to gradually phase out these trawlers. The removal of purse seine fish nets, pair trawling, bottom trawling by mechanized boats, and other practices will undoubtedly allay fears between Tamil Nadu fishermen and the Sri Lanka Navy while also restoring marine health, Gayes said.

The Palk Bay districts of Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Nagapattinam are off-limits to the registration of new mechanized fishing vessels with trawlers, according to a government order dated March 3, 2017. “The state government also started diversifying trawling pressure into deep sea fishing to lessen its impact on Palk Bay trawling.” An official said, “Many subsidy schemes were also offered to replace the mechanized trawler vessels with gill netters and tuna fishing boats.”

In order to protect the fisheries, the state government had already outlawed pair trawling and purse seine net fishing for both country craft and mechanized boats across the whole of Tamil Nadu’s coastal zones, regardless of the boats’ size or engine capacity (GO dated March 25, 2000). “However, purse seine net usage is prevalent throughout the state,” Gayes said, imploring the government to take the appropriate measures.

In the meanwhile, Dr. Kumaravelu, Vice Chairman of the National Fish Workers Forum, said that the districts of Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, and Kanniyakumari continue to use bottom trawling mechanized boats since there is little space for alternative fishing techniques. “The government must look into the issues because of its adverse effects on the sea ecosystem,” he said.