Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Aug 21: Strong winds and rough sea conditions over the past two days have disrupted fishing activities along the coastal belt, with purse seine and small trawler boats unable to venture into the sea from Malpe harbour.

While most deep-sea fishing vessels continue to operate, several boats that could not carry out fishing have been forced to anchor mid-sea or remain at the harbour due to the prevailing conditions. Purse seine boats have reportedly remained docked at the harbours of Mangaluru, Malpe, Gangolli, Bhatkal and Karwar.

Fishermen said the sea has become unsuitable for purse seine fishing, making it difficult to cast and operate fishing nets. Some nets that had already been deployed were also damaged due to the rough conditions.

Malpe Purse Seine Fishermen’s Association president Nagaraj Suvarna said there was no major storm in the sea and that the rough conditions were a natural phenomenon often witnessed after the new moon as the full moon approaches.

“Due to the present sea conditions, purse seine boats are unable to cast their nets properly. Some of the nets that had already been deployed have also been damaged. Therefore, the boats have returned. The sea is expected to return to normal within a day or two,” he said.

Fishermen are closely monitoring the sea conditions before resuming regular fishing operations.