News

A day after a tragic incident led to the death of trout fish worth lakhs, the Department of Fisheries in South Kashmir’s Anantnag has taken swift action. They not only confiscated the walnut peeling machinery belonging to a negligent walnut businessman but also ordered an immediate halt to the operation of these machines along the banks of water bodies.

The machinery seizure was carried out under the supervision of Deputy Director Fisheries Anantnag, Muhammad Sidiq.

The incident occurred at Dalseer Wahdhan area near the Pahalgam health resort, where trout fish worth 20 lakhs suffocated due to the contamination of water from a stream by Walnut Green Husk extract. Many walnut business operators have set up machinery along the streams, allowing walnut husks to flow directly into water bodies, posing a significant threat to aquatic life.

In response to the tragedy, Deputy Director Fisheries Anantnag, Muhammad Sidiq, issued a circular directing all Circle in charges to conduct an extensive survey to locate walnut peeling machine operators in their jurisdictions and serve notices to them. He emphasized the immediate cessation of machine operations until further orders.

Deputy Director Sidiq highlighted the environmental concerns associated with these machines, explaining that the green husk extract contains harmful chemicals that can pollute water and harm aquatic life. While acknowledging the livelihoods of walnut traders, he stressed the need for responsible practices, urging operators to find suitable locations and adopt proper disposal mechanisms.

Furthermore, Deputy Director Fisheries Anantnag confirmed the confiscation of the machinery belonging to the individual responsible for the trout fish deaths, and he affirmed the suspension of machine operations. The department is determined to prevent any harm to the trout business in the district.

The Fisheries department’s Marine Enforcement squads have escalated their efforts to combat suspected attempts by mechanized fishing boats to catch juvenile fish in violation of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) regulations along the Kozhikode coast. Stringent measures, including intensified flash checks and harbor stock monitoring, are now in place to apprehend suspected violators.

The motive behind large-scale collection of juvenile fish appears to be driven by the demand from fertilizer factories. Reports suggest that both local and migrant fish workers engage in these illegal activities to supplement their income. Fertilizer companies located outside the state are allegedly procuring these stocks to meet their production needs.

Fisheries department officials have confirmed the impoundment of nine boats in Kozhikode as part of their concerted crackdown on all forms of illegal fishing activities. The Marine Enforcement squad boasts an adequate resource base, including patrol boats, to effectively monitor and curtail unlawful practices within the fishing industry.

In addition to hefty fines, boat registration suspension looms as a punitive measure against those engaged in illegal fishing. The department is actively seeking information from fishermen who support the strict enforcement of MLS rules and oppose the actions of fertilizer companies.

A leader from a fishermen association in Vellayil disclosed that numerous boat operators around Beypore and Puthiyappa harbors had previously collaborated in the commercial collection of inedible fish varieties for fertilizer companies. However, these operators have withdrawn from such activities as the Marine Enforcement squads have successfully impounded multiple boats. The operators had aligned with fertilizer companies due to declining revenue from daily fishing.

The Fisheries department has already compiled a list of approximately 60 fish varieties subject to MLS regulations, in line with recommendations from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Officials emphasize the critical importance of preventing the hunting of juvenile fish to preserve fisheries resources and safeguard spawning stocks.