Kozhikode: As part of the annual monsoon trawling ban, restrictions on fishing activities in Kozhikode district will come into effect from midnight on June 9. The ban will remain in place until July 31. Over this period, mechanised boats will not be allowed to venture into the sea or carry out any form of fishing.

However, fishing using traditional boats and inboard engine boats will be permitted. In the case of inboard engine boats, only one carrier boat may accompany the fishing vessel. Practices like pair trawling, which involves two small boats operating together, and other illegal fishing methods are strictly prohibited. Authorities have warned of stern action against any such violations.

All trawling boats are required to return to harbour before midnight on June 9. Boats from other states operating in the district’s coastal area must leave before this deadline. Fuel distribution for boats will also be suspended during the trawling ban.

The Fisheries Department will provide free ration supplies to fishermen who have temporarily lost their livelihoods and based on the beneficiary list that the department has submitted, the Civil Supplies Department will take necessary steps for the distribution.

District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh stated that additional police force will be deployed if required to ensure the effective implementation of the trawling ban and to prevent violations. The decision was announced during a high-level meeting held at the Collectorate.

At the meeting, fisherman representatives asked for better security measures to prevent thefts from boats anchored during the ban period and for appropriate docking facilities to be set up at the Beypore harbour.

The meeting was attended by Sub Collector Harshil R. Meena, Fisheries Deputy Director P. Aneesh, and councillor M. Girija, among others.

6,233 fishing vessels registered in Kozhikode district

Currently, the district has 6,233 registered fishing vessels. These include 552 mechanised boats, 178 inboard engine boats, 5,098 boats with outboard engines, and 410 traditional non-motorised crafts. Additionally, around 119 boats from other districts operate in the coastal waters of Kozhikode.

24-hour marine surveillance and safety operations

To ensure round-the-clock sea surveillance and safety during the ban period, a 24-hour control room has been set up at the Beypore Fisheries Station. The control room can be reached at the following numbers: 0495 2414074, 0495 2992194, 9496007052.

Three surveillance boats will be operational throughout the ban period, based out of Beypore, Puthiyappa, and Koyilandy. The Karunya Marine Ambulance will operate from Beypore, while a modern communication-equipped Marine Rescue Unit (a fibre boat) will function from the Chombala base.