Gulf of Mannar trust to erect monitoring sheds

By S Raja
07 Sep 2010 11:45:00 PM IST

Gulf of Mannar trust to erect monitoring sheds

RAMANATHAPURAM: The Gulf of Mannar National Marine Park (GOMNMP) has decided to erect thatched monitoring sheds in all fish landing centres in the district.

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) is functioning as an implementing agency for the government and it arranges training for youths and girls belonging to the fishermen community.

Meanwhile, some fishermen are brazenly violating the government rules against the use of banned nets affecting fish as well as marine fauna and flora. Some fishermen are also collecting banned marine species including coral reef.

Therefore, the Gulf of Mannar National Marine Park has decided to launch a pilot project by erecting thatched sheds in the fish landing centres to watch the boats to see if they were carrying banned items.

The Gulf of Mannar National Marine Park had already established thatched monitoring sheds at Mandapam, Keelakarai and Cinna Erwadi sea shore. It also wants to erect the monitoring sheds at important sea shores where the mechanised boats are anchored. The country boats will also be monitored from the sheds.

It is said, that the watch sheds will be manned by two forest watchers and guards armed with powerful binoculars. Veerapattran, Assistant Conservator of Forests, told Express that it has been decided to increase the number of sheds in all fish landing centres in the district to prevent the illegal practices.

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