Lok Sabha Question No. 2986 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-13
Subject: Use of Ring Nets by Fishermen
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2986 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2018

## USE OF RING NETS BY FISHERMEN

## 2986.   SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY: SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that traditional marine fishermen of various villages along the coast in Andhra Pradesh have decided to refrain from using ring nets as these nets are one of the main reasons behind depletion of fish catch in their areas, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there is a need for fishermen from adjoining areas to refrain from using ring nets in sea near their villages and the Government should seize such nets of those found fishing within 25kms from the coastline of their villages in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government and the fishermen communities;
- (c) whether a ring net is an intermediate hybrid between a purse seine and lampara net as it has rings at the lower edge of the net that enables use of a purse line to close it under the fish populace at a particular place in sea and also like on a lampara net, there is a central bunt in which the captured fish concentrates at two wings of the net are hauled together and due to this technique total fish  populace  of  an  area  gets  captured  by  ring  nets,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  study  undertaken  in  this  regard  and precautionary measures being taken in this regard to protect fish species also in the rivers and seas;
- (d) whether it is also a  fact  that  abundant  use  of  ring  nets  leaves  behind  very  less  fish  for  other  fishermen  and  it  also  has negative effect  on  fish  population  near  the  coast,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  study  conducted  by  the  Government,  fishermen communities/societies in this regard; and
- (e) the steps being taken by the Government to advise fishermen not to do such activities to protect the rare species and fishes in rivers and seas along the coast of Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

- (a): Yes, Madam. Majority of the traditional marine fishermen are refraining from using ring nets. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued an order dated 6 th  August, 2005 prohibiting the use of Ring net (fishing net which is below ½ inch mesh size).
- (b): Yes, Madam. It is essential to seize such nets in the territorial waters. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has already issued an order dated 6 th  August, 2005 prohibiting the use of Ring net.
- (c): Ring nets and purse seines are gears used to fish in the open seas. The fish shoals are encircled and the entire encircled fishes are concentrated at central part of the net and then caught by hauling the net into the boat.
- (d): Yes, Madam. Ring net is usually destructive in nature and likely to cause damage to juveniles of commercially important species.  However, Ring nets are generally operated during periods of large fish abundance only. Central Fishery Institutions like Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) also conduct studies on the use of ring nets.
- (e): Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued an order dated 6 th  August, 2005 prohibiting the use of Ringvala. Accordingly, the  Government is taking measures at field level to enforce the sustainability of fishery catch. The adverse impacts of ring  net fishing and the do's and don'ts for an healthy fishing were conveyed to fishers and respective government and non-government agencies through regular stakeholders meetings organised by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) Fisheries Institutes like CMFRI and CIFT.

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