Blue economy plans face practical challenges, experts say
Experts speaking on the proposals contained in the Union government’s blue economy plans called for caution in their implementation as the protection of the rights of traditional fishermen and the harmonization of all aspects of the sea are linked to it.
Dr NGK Pillai, former head of the pelagic division at the Central Institute for Marine Fisheries Research (CMFRI) in Kochi, said the blue economy has been a concept that has been debated since the early 1990s. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, etc. have adopted the idea, whose goal and heart is sustainability.
However, he expressed concern about the possibility of exploiting or exploiting resources without being discouraged, especially on the Kerala coast, which is rich in rare earth elements.
Dr Sunil K. Mohammed, former Senior Scientist and Head of Shellfish Fisheries and Mariculture at CMFRI, said the idea behind the Blue Economy proposals was the harmonization of all aspects of the sea. For example, he said, navigation activities should in no way interfere with fishing activities. However, this is not currently the case in the country. He cited the recent notification from the sea channel. The channel crosses several fishing areas off the coast of the country, he said.
He also expressed concern about the multiple laws governing marine resources. For example, he raised the issue of coastal regulatory zone rules and their link with the blue economy proposals. He felt that every aspect seemed to have been compartmentalized instead of harmonized.
“Corporatization”
Veteran Fishermen’s Union leader and Matsya Thozhilali host Aikya Vedhi Charles George said the blue economy proposals were the first step towards the corporatization of marine resources. He criticized the government for not allowing enough time for the public to make suggestions and raise objections to the blue economy policy plan.
Hibi Eden, MP, in a recent letter to Union Fisheries Minister Giriraj Singh said there was a “mysterious haste shown by the government to curtail deliberations” on blue economy proposals . The policy, he said, would have ramifications for the livelihoods of the country’s most vulnerable segments of society and called for consultations and discussions on the proposals, as the policy raised serious concerns about the future of the fishing community.