April 1, 2012 2:52:05 am
Citing security concerns,the states Fisheries Department has ordered all the fishermen in the state to paint their boats with orange colour,sources said.
In a notification issued last year,the department said it would help the Coast Guard and Marine Police in identifying suspect vessels.
Though some fishermen began displaying orange clothes or plastic sheets on their boats to avoid the expenditure of painting their vessels,the fisheries department has been saying it will not suffice.
There are around 2,550 registered boats in the state,mainly in south Gujarat.
Best of Express Premium
A few days ago,Fisheries Department officials from Valsad and Navsari held a meeting with the fishermen association and briefed them about the notification and its rationale. They told the fishermen that the licences of their boats could be cancelled if they did not follow the instructions,sources said.
Valsad Fishermen Association secretary Mangan Tandel said,We are trying to educate the fishermen about the need to colour-code their boats as per orders. It will also help them during natural calamities.
Assistant director of Fisheries Department at Valsad,N F Patel,said,We are in the process of implementing the orders. We have also held a meeting with the fishermen association and briefed them.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.
