Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 23: State fisheries minister V Anand Asnotikar promised during his visit here on Monday September 22 that all necessary facilities for the fishing activities will be provided in phases, at the old fishing port here.

He was speaking after personally inspecting the estuary of the port and lending an ear to the problems of the local fishermen.

He noted that the estuary is choked with accumulated sand, making it hard for the fishing boats to venture out for fishing and that both the breakwaters at the port are in a dilapidated condition. The port suffers from lack of space for the mooring of the boats.  The BJP-led government has genuine concern for the problems of the fishermen and that it is committed to solve their problems, he assured.

During the visit of the chief minister to the city on the Sunday September 28, he would be apprised of the situation. Out of five crore rupees released by the government for de-silting, Rs 1.75 crore has been earmarked for Mangalore. Dredging is going on at Malpe already, he explained.

"Two places, one of which is 750-metre-long and the other one, 1000-metre-long, have been identified for the fishing boats. The fisheries department will not sacrifice these lands for the sake of the ports department. We will discuss the issue with the ports department and use these spaces for the construction of jetties," he promised. He also assured them that he would discuss the issue of permitting fishermen to enter the NMPT port in case of emergencies.

MLA N Yogish Bhat, who accompanied the minister, said that the government will provide all necessary facilities to the fishermen even if that compels the government to raise loans. Karnataka Purse-seine Boat Fishermen Association president Navin Karkera, Mangalore Trawl Boat Fishermen Association president Seetharam Suvarna and general secretary Nitin Kumar made the minister aware of various problems plaguing fishing activities here.