Vadodara: Over 27,000 boat owners from
Gujarat, which has 1600-km-long coastal line, would be on
day-long strike tomorrow protesting the proposed Marine Act.
According to fishermen, the proposed Act not only allows
entry of foreign players but also restricts their movement in
the sea.
The strike is in response to a call from Indian Fishermen
Association, National Fishing Forum and Akhil Gujarat
Machhimari Mahamandal, Federation of Indian Fishermen and
Industries.
The protest comes after talks with the Union Agriculture
Minister Sharad Pawar in New Delhi on February 3 failed to
achieve desired results, Welkins Masani, president of IFA
said.
Masani claimed Pawar was in favour of entry of foreign
ships and foreign technology into the Indian sea, which is
being vehemently opposed by the fishermen.
According to Masani, when entry of foreign ships is
banned in countries like China, Canada, Japan, Vietnam,
Netherlands, why is India encouraging it.
"Big foreign ships and trawlers will pollute the water
more," Masani said adding similar plans were dropped by the
then Prime Minister P V Narsimharao in 1994.
The Centre's proposed Marine Fisheries (Regulation and
Maintenance) Act contains a clause which bans fishing beyond
12 nautical miles from the port where the boats and trawlers
are registered, Masani said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 18:43