Fishing season to begin from Wednesday 11

Fishing season to begin from Wednesday 11

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, August 10: Fishing boats are all set to sail at the start of the new fishing season in Mangalore from Wednesday, August 11. The ban on fishing was in force from June 1. On the days of the ban, fishermen spend their time repairing boats and fishing nets.

 

 

Vasudeva Bolur, the general secretary of the Coastal Karnataka Fishermen Action Committee, said that deep sea fishermen have already left for fishing on Aug 3. They are allowed to return only on Tuesday to auction their catch.

DK has around 8,041 fishing boats, helping thousands of fishermen earn their living. Of these, 4,591 are mechanized boats, 2,388 are boats, and 1,062 are traditional boats. Mangalore has 1,010 boats, 1,212 mechanized boats, and 230 traditional boats. Udupi has 1,378 boats, 3,379 mechanized boats, and 832 traditional boats.

Mr. Bolar said that DK gets 85,000 kilo litres of fuel at subsidized rates for fishing activities. Deep sea fishermen get more fuel at subsidized rates while traditional boats get 200 litres of kerosene per month at subsidized rates.

Despite the 57-day-long ban on fishing, boats with 10 HP engines leave for fishing, said Fisheries Department Deputy Director Suresh Kumar, adding that fishing with mechanized boats will resume at the end of the ban period.

According to the statistics of the Fisheries Department, DK reported 90,345 tons of catch worth Rs. 40,763.46 lakh and Udupi had reported 99,422 tons of catch worth Rs. 35,922.43 lakh in 2009 – 10.

Fishing is banned during this time owing to the fury of the sea during the monsoons. Moreover, fish breed during the monsoons; and fishing during this season will seriously affect fishing later in the year.