A parliamentary committee has begun a tour of coastal towns to hear from fishermen, traders and local officials about a draft fisheries law that is expected to come before lawmakers later this year.

The draft covers fishing licences, closed seasons to protect breeding stocks, standards for fish markets and the role of local cooperatives. Committee members said they wanted the law to reflect the needs of the people who depend on the sea for a living.

What fishers want

At meetings held on beaches and in community halls, small-scale fishermen asked for simpler and cheaper licences, as well as support for cold storage so that their catch does not spoil before it reaches markets. Several speakers also called for clear rules on where large boats can operate.

"We are not against rules. We want rules that protect the fish and protect the small fisherman," said the chair of a fishing cooperative who attended one of the sessions.

Women who process and sell fish also spoke at the meetings, asking for clean landing sites with shade, running water and space to dry and store the catch. Committee members said the needs of market workers would be reflected in the section on fish handling standards.

The committee said it would publish a summary of the views collected and amend the draft before it is formally tabled. Members also promised to return to coastal communities to explain the final version once it has been agreed.

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