IFAF lauds Kerala’s initiative on marine fisheries regulation

Kochi: Kerala State is in the forefront in drafting new regulations in line with Indian Marine Fisheries Code (IMFC) to govern marine fisheries and also for implementing many of these regulations. Indian Marine Fisheries Code (IMFC) which is a detailed plan to implement the FAO-Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO-CCRF) in India.  The State has recently implemented minimum legal sizes (MLS) for 58 species of commercially exploited finfishes and shellfishes to prevent rampant growth overfishing. It has made amendments in its fisheries regulation act (KMFRA) to govern the overcapacity by controlling boat building yards; introduced input controls on fishing gears and net making factories; and very significantly, enacted laws to set fisheries governance through three tiered fisheries management councils. These transformations in the last few years are heralding a sea change in the way by which fisheries resources can be sustainably managed in the country. Some of these changes are models for other maritime states to emulate and follow as well.