Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 13: There has been a huge crescendo for banning all Chinese things in the country. This has given rise to shortage of Chinese engines and their spare parts which are used by fishermen in coastal Karnataka in a big way. This issue had been raised by the fishermen leaders during their interaction with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, and fisheries minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, at the zilla panchayat auditorium here recently.

As per an estimate, there are over 2,000 boats using Chinese engines at the old port dock in the city and Malpe. Fishermen leader, Mohan Bengre, says that the fishermen heavily depend on China for spare parts and if their spare parts do not come, they would be listless.

 
Representational Image

Several Chinese brands of engines are widely in use. These companies have their dealerships at Kochi, Kollam and Nagercoil with offices at all the fishing docks. Engines of different Chinese companies are in use on the entire coast. These engines have hydraulic gear system, whereas Indian firms manufacturing such engines have not been able to match performances of the Chinese engines, it is said. Therefore the Indian companies have to improve the quality and performance of their engines.

Purse seine boat engines cost Rs 20 to 24 lac. An entire purse seine boat requires an investment of about Rs 2 crore and provides employment to about 40 persons. Therefore, the availability of engines and spare parts is crucial for fishing activity. Added to the spare parts problem is the shortage of migrant workers. Not only the fishing but even ice plants heavily depend on workers from other districts and states. Therefore, whether the fishing season expected to begin on August 1 will begin that day or not is a million-dollar question.