Fishermen burn own trawls

Fishermen burn own trawls

TEGAL, Central Java: Dozens of fishermen burned down their own trawls in the presence of officials yesterday in compliance with the government's ban on trawling equipment.

The fishermen, said Lt. Col. Budiantoro, a Navy official, have realized that the use of trawls can harm the marine ecosystem in the regency.

President Soeharto has issued a decree banning trawls, which catch fish indiscriminately and threaten the livelihood of small- scale fishermen.

Budiantoro cited that as many as 49 trawls belonging to local fishermen were burned down.

Physical clashes between trawl operators and traditional fishermen have often occurred here, Antara reported.(rms)