Fishers forum calls for moratorium on arrest of fisher folk

PUDUCHERRY: The World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) today highlighted the need for a moratorium on arrest of fishermen whether it was in Indian, Pakistani or Sri Lankan waters.

Issues of fishermen could be solved through negotiations and enforcement of law instead of resorting to arrests, WFFP General Secretary Mohamad Nageesh Jaffer said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of inauguration of a two-day international workshop on "Guidelines for securing sustainable small scale fishers and improving food security".

Meanwhile, Co-Chairperson of the WFFP Mohamad Ali Shah appreciated the joint statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif announcing release of Indian fishermen lodged in Pakistan jails and repatriating Pakistani fishermen kept in Indian prisons.

Delegates from several countries including Pakistan, Spain, Kenya, Bangla Desh, South Africa and Brazil were among those participating in the meet, organised jointly by World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) and National Fish Workers Forum.

Inaugurating the event, held as part of the coordination committee meeting of the WFFP, local MP R Radhakrishnan suggested that the workshop come out effective guidelines to improve the fisher folks` livelihood issues.