Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) has urged the central government to urgently address the deteriorating conditions of traditional marine fishers across India, citing threats from prolonged fishing bans, coastal infrastructure projects, and environmentally harmful practices.
The forum’s Executive Committee (EC) meeting was held at Red Cross Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and was hosted by its affiliated union, the Orissa Traditional Fish Workers’ Union (OTFWU). Addressing the gathering, Prasanna Kumar Behera, president of OTFWU, spoke in detail about the severe challenges faced by fishers in Odisha. He said the government’s turtle conservation measures had resulted in a seven-month-long fishing ban across four districts, pushing thousands of traditional fishers into financial hardship. He demanded a compensation of ₹30,000 per family per month during the ban period to mitigate the impact on their livelihoods.
General Secretary of NFF, Olencio Simoes, also called for urgent steps to clear river mouths and the Chilika Lake to ensure 24-hour marine navigation. He emphasised the need to construct Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) and harbours in each marine block or gram panchayat, stating that such infrastructure was essential to secure the economic survival of coastal communities.
The two-day meeting brought together representatives from six coastal states—Odisha, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat—who held discussions on pressing issues affecting the sector. One of the key concerns raised was the rapid expansion of ports and proposed construction of new ports in various coastal regions. The NFF said these projects were displacing fishing communities, damaging sensitive marine ecosystems, and threatening traditional fishing grounds.
Another resolution passed during the meeting called on the government to freeze subsidies being offered to aquaculture industries, which the forum described as environmentally destructive. According to NFF, aquaculture practices are degrading coastal biodiversity, displacing native species, and polluting marine habitats. Instead, the forum demanded an increase in marine fishing subsidies to support sustainable practices and protect the livelihoods of small-scale fishers.
The NFF also reiterated its longstanding demand for a ban on destructive fishing gears, such as LED lights, bull trawling, and pursie nets, which are believed to cause indiscriminate damage to marine life. The forum urged the government to halt the issuance of new licenses under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for deep-sea vessels, citing concerns of overfishing and resource depletion.
Another serious issue raised was the continued imprisonment of Indian fishers in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The forum called for immediate diplomatic engagement to ensure their release and safe return home.
In a major policy recommendation, NFF demanded that traditional marine fishing communities be granted legal recognition under a proposed Coastal Rights Act, akin to the Forest Rights Act which recognises the rights of Adivasi communities over forest land. The forum stated that such legislation is necessary to protect the ancestral rights, occupations, and cultural heritage of coastal communities who have lived off the sea for generations.
Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, Olencio Simoes and Ramkrishna Tandel reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to intensifying its advocacy efforts and mobilising fishing communities nationwide in defence of their rights and marine ecosystems.
