Marine Fisheries Bill addresses a regulatory void. It needs cooperative federalism | The Indian Express

Marine Fisheries Bill addresses a regulatory void. It needs cooperative federalism | The Indian Express

Written by John Kurien |Updated: August 30, 2019 10:45:35 am

The writer is a visiting professor, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru

Marine Fisheries Bill addresses a regulatory void. It needs cooperative federalism

State governments, fisher associations and the fishing industry representatives should not blindly oppose the entire Bill on the basis of their fears of the fishing permit. They should argue for greater “cooperative federalism”.

The bill proposes social security for fish workers and calls for protection of life at sea during severe weather events(Representational Image)

A Marine Fisheries Regulation and Management (MFRM) Bill 2019 is in the public domain for discussion. Comprehending the Bill’s rationale requires understanding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements under which India has obligations to frame laws. The MFRM Bill 2019 is one such piece of legislation.