Fishers’ body calls for policy reforms

Kanyakumari: International Fishermen Development Trust (INFIDET) has urged chief minister C Joseph Vijay to take up systemic changes to protect the lives and livelihoods of the fishing community.INFIDET president P Justin Antony emphasised the need for a National Integrated Fisheries Policy to address long-standing grievances. He said Section 108 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, which presumes a missing person dead only after seven years, leaves families of fishermen who lost at sea without relief, and sought an amendment to the act.To prevent frequent mid-sea collisions, the trust suggested an establishment of a special route for ships to ensure they do not encroach on traditional fishing grounds. To address the rising threat of maritime violence, Antony called for the formation of a special anti-piracy force to curb attacks and equipment theft in sea. He also urged the govt to station a dedicated sea ambulance and helicopter in Kanyakumari for emergency responses.The trust also sought long-term socio-economic upliftment by giving priority for students from the fishing community in the fisheries and shipping-related courses.