Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JP/MSP)

Udupi, May 24: Under the motto of  'save the coast and save the fishermen', the National Fish Workers Forum (NFF), launched a national level campaign for the rights of fishermen from Jakau coast, Kutch in Gujarat on May 1. The campaign will continue till June 27, covering the entire stretch of 8,118 kms of coastline of the country.

The Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) notification was issued in 1991, to prevent and minimize the impact of human activities on marine and coastal ecology. But today, seashores and adjoining areas are being opened up for being exploited by big businesses like beach resorts, hotels, mines, industries, nuclear and thermal power plants, hazardous chemical plants and hubs,  industrial aquaculture, SEZs, STZs, mega projects, large scale mechanised  and destructive fishing  activities etc., which are threatening the coastal environment and  livelihood of the traditional fishermen and their families, explained president of the Forum, Harikrishna Debnath at a press conference held here on May 23.

Debnath demanded the enactment of a national legislation for regulating the usage of  the coastal region and marine biodiversity for indirectly protecting the fishermens' preferential rights and access to marine resourses. He also  accused the government of putting forth systematic efforts to shut the fishermen community from any meaningful participation in coastal management.

Debnath also said that the present campaign is a precursor to the Delhi march, where fishermen and other  communities who are facing a threat,  will march to the parliament during it's monsoon session for asserting their demands. General secretary of the Forum N D Kohli, secretary of Akhila Karnataka Fishermen Parishad Vasudev Boloor and others were present.