Call to lift ban on sea cucumber fishing

Date:30/09/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/09/30/stories/2010093059110300.htm Back Tamil Nadu - Ramanathapuram Call to lift ban on sea cucumber fishing Special Correspondent “Many face legal battle for catching sea cucumber” — L. BALACHANDAR DEMAND:Members of the Joint Committee of Fishermen Associations staging a demonstration in Ramanathapuram on Wednesday. RAMANATHAPURAM: Fishermen under the aegis of Joint Committee of Fishermen Associations staged a demonstration here on Wednesday demanding the State and Central government to lift ban on sea cucumber fishing. A. Palsamy, president, Ramanathapuram Fishermen Trade Union, presided over the agitation. A large number of fishermen, without minding the rain, took part in the demonstration and raised slogans against the governments. They also accused the forest department officials for booking fishermen for netting sea cucumber. They said that the livelihood of fishermen had become unviable due to the ban on sea cucumber netting. It was one of the very few items that fetched nominal remuneration to the fishermen. It was incorrect to claim that it was an endangered item as sea cucumber was plenty in Gulf of Mannar and other parts. Many fishermen were facing legal battle for catching sea cucumber, who were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. They warned that they would continue to indulge in agitations demanding the government to lift ban on sea cucumber fishing. © Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu