Chapter 2 - Kerala Govt Logo

Chapter 2Policy, Legislation and RegulationEntrust the responsibility of scrutinising and approving fisheries related projects of theLocal Governments to the officers of the Fisheries Department, Matsyafed or Adakconsidering them as Technical Experts.Treat fish production, aquaculture and related activities as agricultural occupations for allpractical purposes and extend the benefits given to farmers for electricity, water and otherbasic amenities to fisheries sector also.Preparation of map of water bodies suitable for aquaculture with the help of LocalGovernments and Research institutions.Persuade Fish and Prawn farmers for group farming and provide them technical assistance.Formulate special programs for the conservation and development of fish and prawns underthe threat of extinction.Protect common water sources from the threat of pollution through legislation.Introduce Group Insurance facilities in the field of aquaculture.Formulate projects for developing fisheries wealth in the hither-to unexploited fields likeintegrated fish farming in inland waters, game fisheries etc.Construct artificial reefs in the sea and lakes, sawing fish seed in public water bodies etcfor preventing extinction of fish wealth and ensuring growth on a large scale.Amend the existing acts and rules relating to land use to promote integrated farming ofpaddy-fish, paddy-prawn combinations. Organize awareness programs through ADAK toward off any fears of harm to the paddy cultivation and employment loss.Impose restrictions and controls on importing fish/prawn seed from hatcheries outside thestate to check disease to prawns and fish and enforce licensing system for hatcheries.Prepare a unified Inland Fisheries Act, modifying the Travancore-Cochin Fishing Act andIndian Fishing Act suitably and incorporating the provisions for development of inlandfisheries.Steps for obtaining licence from the National Aquaculture Agency for cultivation of prawnin areas under CRZ.Promote aquaculture maintaining the ecological balance as per the guidelines of theNational Aquaculture Agency.Stipulate the handing over of inland waters under their administrative control ofPanchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations only to the FFDA, for short term lease, five toseven years, and for long term lease, fifteen years or more.Undertake fish farming in natural water bodies through fish farmers groups with trainingand organizational support of the FFDAs.Assess and re-register fixed nets and Chinese nets under the proposed Inland Fisheries Actconsidering the importance of maintaining ecological balance of the estuaries.Remove all the existing unlicensed nets in phases within the next five years, without takinginto account the nature of ownership. However, those nets that have been operated formore than ten years and licensed to Welfare Organisations will be protected.Launch Fisheries Tourism utilizing the potential of reservoirs, lakes, ponds, rivers andrivulets etc. The reservoirs in the high ranges are suitable for angling of Mahasir fish.Hatcheries will be established for the development of such fish wealth here. Steps will betaken to attract foreign tourist to such areas with the help of angling associations.