Mangaluru harbour buzzes as deep-sea fishing resumes after monsoon ban

Mangaluru harbour buzzes as deep-sea fishing resumes after monsoon ban

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 18, 2026: Fishing activity has picked up at Mangaluru’s Old Port, popularly known as Dakke, following the end of the 61-day annual monsoon fishing ban along the Karnataka coast.

Deep-sea trawlers that ventured into the sea after the ban are returning to the harbour with large quantities of a variety of fish. The arrival of the boats has brought renewed activity to the harbour, with fish traders, workers and customers crowding the area.

Although the new fishing season officially began on August 1, fishermen were unable to venture into the sea for the first four to five days due to strong winds, heavy rain and rough sea conditions. As the weather improved, around 70-80% of the deep-sea trawlers operating from Mangaluru harbour resumed fishing.

After spending eight to 10 days at sea, the boats are now returning one after another with good catches. The harbour is bustling with activity as fresh fish is unloaded from the boats, sorted into baskets and packed in ice-filled boxes for transportation.

Large quantities of several varieties of fish, including madmal, squid and cuttlefish, mackerel, seer fish, pomfret, prawns, murrel and disco fish, have arrived at the harbour.

After nearly two months of limited availability of fresh fish, seafood lovers from across the coastal region are once again flocking to the harbour, giving a major boost to fish trade.

The revival of fishing activity has also brought cheer to truck drivers involved in fish transportation, ice-plant workers, basket loaders and local women fish vendors. The renewed activity at the harbour is expected to provide fresh momentum to the coastal economy.