NMPT and fishermen at loggerheads over port entry issue

NMPT and fishermen at loggerheads over port entry issue

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Sep 16, 2011 : The fishing community is at loggerheads with the New Mangalore Port (NMP) authorities after its security personnel refused entry to a boat taking injured fishermen for medical treatment.

A furious Umesh Karkera, the honorary president of the Karnataka Purseiner Fishermen’s Assciation, demanded to know the uses of the port if it cannot help fishermen in times of difficulties.

The representatives of the fishing community, under the leadership of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, have planned to meet the NMP authorities to sort out the issue. If no solution emerges from the meeting, the fishing community plans to hold an intense protest in front of the port. Mr. Karkera made a strong public statement to the effect that the port should shut down if it cannot assist fishermen.

The NMP and the fishing community has long been at loggerheads regarding the entry of fishing boats into the port during emergencies and bad weather conditions.

Even last year, the fishermen had expressed their anger when the port security refused to permit fishermen to berth their boats inside the port and unload their catch during bad weather.

Shedding further light on the issue, Mr. Karkera said that the fishermen want entry into the port only during bad weather and are willing to cooperate with the port authorities by providing their names, boat registration details, and so on. He said that the fishing community has given up their land for the port and will therefore not harm it in any way.

Last year, the port authorities had permitted fishing boats to use the port facilities only between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., but purseieners could not stick to this time limit. Explaining this, Karkera said that fishing boats might arrive late because of bad weather.

He also said that the issue has been raised before CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda and that the CM has assured support and has urged the fishing community not to take any extreme steps.