The traps
Compared to the traditional gill nets that are a few hundred metres long, mechanised gill netters, that is boats with engines above 5 horse power use nets 3 km to 4 km long. Such nets have a mesh size over 100mm designed to catch larger fish, but they can also snare turtles. Only mono filaments nets are permitted. The mesh size must be below 140-mm reducing the chance of entrapment. A new net costs between Rs 50,000 to 1 lakh in and with little practical enforcement of this regulation fishermen are reluctant to change.
Trawlers can also take steps to reduce turtle by catch. Turtle excluder devices allow sea turtles to escape while keeping the fish inside. They have been issued to all trawlers operating off the coast and are mandatory. However, fishermen are refusing to use these devices unless they receive compensation for the loss or are provided with a device that does not reduce their catch.
Related Content
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding industrial pollution faced by the residents of Ayyankuzhi village, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala, 04/04/2024
- Climate shocks and the poor: a review of the literature
- India monthly ambient air quality snapshot: January2024
- Status of snow leopards in India
- Combating black carbon for clean air and climate
- Report on behalf of Government of NCT of Delhi on the status of CETP/ETP/STP, 27/10/2023