Small-Scale Fishers Call for Unified Licence Fee Reversal

Speedy Summary

• Protest Against License Fee: Small-scale fishing boat operators in Kerala plan to protest against the Fisheries department over the revised unified licence fee hike, which they claim has doubled their financial burden.
• Major Concerns:

– The licence fee for small boats increased from ₹2,700 to ₹26,700.
– Operators argue fees should be based on boat size and engine capacity rather than a unified structure.
– Additional charges include welfare fund payments and fines for late fee submissions, which fishermen consider excessive.
– Enforcement squads are reportedly targeting small operators disproportionately.

• Impact: Fishermen allege income reduction due to poor catch and adverse weather conditions amplifies their struggles with high fees.
• Fisheries Department’s Stand:

– Unified fee was implemented as part of policies discouraging large boats built under the guise of traditional fishing.
– Change aims to regulate nearshore vessel sizes along Kerala’s coast; Fisheries officials say they cannot independently revoke it.

📸 Image description: Fishing boats at Vellayil harbour in Kozhikode | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The conflict highlights larger structural challenges within Kerala’s fisheries sector-balancing environmental regulations with safeguarding traditional livelihoods is key. While uniform fees aim to prevent misuse by commercial ventures, their impact on economically vulnerable small-scale fishers calls for reconsideration of equitable approaches such as tiered pricing based on operational scale or capacity.

Adverse ecological conditions worsening fish yield further accentuate how financially burdensome policy changes could threaten livelihood sustainability for this segment if not mediated appropriately by authorities through dialogue or relief measures like exemptions or staggered payments.

The fisher groups’ demand for reforms appears rational given the disproportionate rise in costs faced by smaller operators compared to historical rates. However, government efforts must together ensure policy intent-to manage coastal sustainability-is not compromised amidst public pushback from affected communities.