Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 30: Leaders in the fishing industry who met here on Wednesday July 29, took an important decision to put off the start of the new fishing season this time by a month. This decision was taken in view of shortage of manpower and also hassles encountered in sticking to the rules relating to maintaining social distance.

As per government rules, fishing season is allowed to start on August 1. A meeting held at the old port and attended by representatives of Mangaluru Trawl Boat Fishermen's Association, Purse Seine Fishermen's Association, Fresh Fish Traders Association, Seafood Buyers Association, Dry Fish Merchants Union, Rani Meenu Processors and office bearers of various organisations participated.

The meeting discussed about the need to quarantine fishermen coming in from other states. The leaders decided to hold discussions again on various issues with the district in-charge minister and deputy commissioner before taking further steps. The meeting noted that a total of 1,200 boats employing thousands of workers function from the port here and 75 percent of the workforce comes from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and other states. Most of the workers in ice plants and fish mills too are from other states. Most of these workers have returned to their hometowns and even if they return, they will face problems including quarantine. Therefore, it was decided to postpone the fishing season by a month.

President of Mangaluru Trawl Boat Fishermen's Association, Nithin Kumar, said that the meeting of fishermen leaders held on Wednesday discussed about the steps needed to be taken to maintain social distance at the fishing dock in the city. As the fishermen leaders felt that it is difficult to begin fishing activity on August 1, it was postponed by a month, he stated.

President of Mangaluru Purse Seine Boat Fishermen's Association, Mohan Bengre, explained that coronavirus has created a huge problem for the fishing industry. He noted that diesel price has gone up. There is also problem with the export. Therefore, the start of the fishing season has been postponed, he stated.

The leaders also noted that huge quantity of fish gets exported to different countries including China. But because of coronavirus and other issues, exports have stopped now. If there is no provision for exports, the fishermen will face huge losses, it was felt.