Mangaluru: Though the Union government has banned the use of LED lights while fishing, it’s rampant use in coastal Karnataka is threatening marine ecology killing juvenile fish, thereby jeopardizing the livelihood of traditional fishermen.

Concerned with the ban not being implemented in Karnataka’s coastal waters, the Nadadoni Fishermen Association of Uttara Kannada has written to the ministry of agriculture to instruct the district administrations of Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada to strictly enforce the ban on LED fishing and bull trawling.

Vasanth Devadiga, a fisherman in Bhatkal, says the entry of businessmen into fishing , especially in Mangaluru and Malpe, has spawned the dangerous bull trawling and the more disastrous LED light fishing techniques to make a quick buck. “Earlier fishing was done by only traditional fishermen and the entry of businessmen has seen all norms thrown to the wind,” he says. He claims this is helping officials get rich. “A boat owner can mint Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh on a 15- day LED fishing trip, and he does not mind giving a small percentage of it to officials to turn a blind eye to the violation,” he alleges.

But DK deputy director, fisheries department, Mahesh Kumar explains that their hands are tied due to the Union government’s notification not being clear on light fishing beyond territorial waters. “Light fishing mostly happens beyond 12 nautical miles in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Karnataka Marine Fisheries Regulation (KMFR) Act 1986 can only be applied for Karnataka’s territorial waters. With EEZ being beyond the state boundary, we are helpless,” he adds.

But Devadiga claims that light fishing happens even interritorial waters. Mahesh Kumar notes under the Act, light fishing boats can be fined up to five times the catch value or Rs 5,000 in case of no catch.

“We have not penalised anyone so far, since we don’t have the equipment or officials to go to sea and search for boats using lights for fishing,” he said. Somanath Moger, secretary, Nadadoni Fishermen Association of Uttara Kannada, says they are already feeling the heat of light fishing. “It does not promote sustainable fishing, but exploits marine resources and destroys juveniles causing imbalance,” he adds.