Ponnani: The trawling ban, imposed as part of efforts to protect marine fisheries resources during the monsoon in Kerala, will end at midnight on July 31. With this, the 52-day trawling ban will officially come to a close.

Monsoon is considered the spawning period for commercially significant fish species such as oil sardines. The reason for the ban is that it is the breeding season for fish, and any disturbance to that process depletes fish wealth.

During the trawling ban, fishing trawlers need to keep 12 nautical miles away from the Kerala coast. The Fisheries Department has warned of strict action against those found violating the rules. District Collectors also direct boats from other states to depart the coastal areas before the inception of the trawling ban. During this period, free rations are provided for Kerala trawlers and allied workers by the state government.

However, traditional fishermen are allowed to use canoes and inboard boats to venture into the sea even during the trawling period.

The ban came into effect at midnight on June 9. By the evening of June 9, the Marine Enforcement and Coastal Police ensured that the trawling boats were moved from the sea to safer locations.