Illegal foreign fishing vessels being monitored closely: G.K Vasan

NEW DELHI: Any illegal foreign fishing vessels are monitored closely by Indian Coast Guard and the Government issues letter of Permission (LoP) only to Indian entrepreneurs allowing them to fish in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

“The LoP is issued on the recommendation of an Inter-Ministerial Empowered Committee on Marine Fisheries in accordance with the existing deep sea fishing guidelines, said G.K Vasan, Union Minister of Shipping.

Vasan added that the Indian Coast Guard monitors implementation of the guidelines of LoP on ground and apprehends any foreign vessel found indulging in illegal fishing in the Indian EEZ and appropriate action is taken as per existing law & guidelines.

The Government is aware of a study done by University of British Colombia which primarily raises the issues of high fisheries subsidies.

“India has expressed strong reservations in the World Trade Organisation about the inaccuracies of data and findings of the said study,” Vasan said.

He added that Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) maintains a list of vessels engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

However, there is no Indian vessel listed in the IOTC list of IUU vessels.

The Government’s deep-sea fishing policy prohibits IUU fishing. Whenever a complaint is received on violation of deep-sea guidelines, the Government takes appropriate actions that include suspension/cancellation of LoP.

The Government through Inter-Ministerial Empowered Committee and specific Expert Groups/ Committees regularly reviews the deep-sea guidelines and polices to provide enabling environment for the growth of deep-sea fisheries in the country.