Gujarat fishermen strike receives total response

Over 27,000 boat owners from Gujarat, which has 1600-km-long coastal line, are on day-long strike today protesting the proposed Marine Act. The strike has received total response in Porbandar, Veraval, Okha and other fishing coastal towns in Gujarat.

According to Manish Lodhari of National Fishermen Forum, the proposed Act not only allows entry of foreign players but also restricts their movement in the sea beyond 12 nautical mile from the coast.

The strike is in response to a call from Indian Fishermen Association, National Fishing Forum and Akhil Gujarat Machhimari Mahamandal, Federation of Indian Fishermen and Industries.

The protest comes after talks with the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in New Delhi on February 3 failed to achieve desired results, Veljibhai Masani, president of IFA said.

Masani claimed Pawar was in favour of entry of foreign ships and foreign technology into the Indian sea, which is being vehemently opposed by the fishermen.