Total absence of any conservation measures and over fishing practised during the past few years have been the major reasons for the decline in Indian fisheries.

There is an urgent need to implement most stringent conservation measures. Normally monsoon is the breeding season for fish and no fishing should be allowed during this season, leading to maximum breeding. In fact earlier days had seen a ban on fishing operations during the monsoon.

Since both fishermen and the industry appreciated the need to follow this discipline, fishing used to be voluntarily suspended during monsoon thus allowing the breeding to take place without any hindrance.

The situation changed for bad as some unscrupulous fishermen acting with the support of some elements in the industry have put an end to this practice. Slowly but surely the adverse effects of this indiscipline came to be felt and the marine fish landings gradually began to decline. When this decline became pronounced, the authorities realised the need for ensuring the conservative measures.

States took steps to force a ban on fishing during monsoon, which again was limited to a 45-60 day period. This technical issue was also politicised in some states with various political parties taking contradictory stands.

The issue was further challenged in the courts by some of the exporters and obtained orders restraining the ban on fishing, overlooking the basic fact that this ban was in their own interest and in the interest of the country in the long run.

Now the time has come to build public opinion in support of the suspension of fishing operations during the breeding season and a need to create awareness among fisherfolk and industry about facts.

Over-fishing is another menace to plague the industry. The government should enforce strict restrictions on big fishing vessels and allow them to do fishing in deep waters only. Already there are restrictions imposed on the entry of foreign fishing vessels.

Even for Indian vessels, it is necessary to apply some constraints. Effective measures and strict enforcement of them will ensure that natural process of recouping the sea wealth is not adversely effected. Perhaps this is our last opportunity to maintain our fishery wealth.