Is that fish on your plate protected by law?

Theres some bad news for fish lovers in the city Your favourite fish just may be a protected species Bamboo Shark Porcupine Ray and a few other species found at most fish markets across the city are apparently protected by law but fishermen and the public are unaware of thisThe State Mangrove Cell is now planning awareness campaigns at fish markets and among the fishing community The cell will also offer fishermen compensation of up to Rs 25000 for their nets that will have to be cut in order to release such species back into the seaGuitar FishThe majority of fishermen who venture into the sea for fishing are unaware about the legal status or the protected status of any fish or marine creature as there is lack of awarenessN Vasudevan additional principal chief Conservator of forestAPCCF and head of State Mangroves Cell said It has been observed that several protected species of fish and marine life that have legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 fall prey to fishing activity The awareness campaigns by the mangrove cell will be an attempt at preventing thisBamboo sharkHe added We will also be printing banners and pamphlets that will have pictures and information of the protected marine creatures and distribute them among the fishermen We are confident this will help in a big way We are also going to inform the community about the government scheme through which they can get compensation of up to R25000 if they release the protected marine species back into the sea Vasudevan said Nets cost anywhere between Rs 10000 and Rs 40000A marine enthusiast said that it is often difficult to identify a protected speciesInstead of vilifying the fishermen working with them to create awareness will be helpful he saidSpeaking to midday Ganesh Nakhwa vicepresident of Maharashtra Purse Seine Fishing Welfare Association said Because of climate change most fishermen do not get enough catch these days and hence sometimes bring back whatever they catch in their net unaware of the protected status of the species Purse Seine is a type of net used in fishingNakhwa also said that the biggest challenge and the threat to the protected species of fish is from ghost nets or ones that are abandoned in the high seas He pointed out that because of the continuous dialogue with the community members have started sending videos and pictures of marine species that they have netted and if found that it is a protected species the fishermen release them back into the sea alive He also said that the government should have a monitoring team in the high seasMarine enthusiast Pradip Patade said We have been doing our bit to create awareness among fishermen about protected speciesDrop from your plate Sawfish Porcupine ray Guitar fish Southern ocean sun fish Multiple species of shark Brydes whale Blue whale Indo pacific humpback dolphin Turtles Loggerhead Green sea Leatherback Olive RidleyCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates