DHNS 
 
Mangalore, Mar 5: Karnataka Purse-seine Meenugarara Sangha has urged that the existing fishing port should be developed into an all-season harbour at the earliest, and if the government does not pay heed to their demand, massive protests will be launched.

Addressing media persons here on Wednesday, the Sangha Honourary President Umesh Karkera said as many as 2,500 mechanised boats were functioning from the fishing port which have led to severe congestion in the recent times.

 
He said there had been plans to construct a 750 mts x 40 mts jetty at old port and 1,000 mts x 50 mts jetty at Bengre, but the plans were gathering dust. He alleged that the State government has totally forgotten its assurances towards fishermen.

Karkera also urged that the government should take urgent steps for dredging in the estuary of the fishing port. “The estuary is filled with sand, resulting in frequent accidents. Hence, dredging is inevitable to protect the lives and assets of the fishermen,” he observed.

At least 250 deep-sea fishing boats, 100 purse-seine boats, 300 gilnet boats are functioning here, through which over 5,000 fishermen are directly earning their daily bread; about 10,000 men and women work on the port. Hence, free drinking water supply should also be arranged, he demanded.

Several boats have sunk in the estuary due to accidents in the previous years but no step has been taken to lift them. This has, again, resulted in more accidents, he rued.

Answering a question, Karkera said the dead-lock regarding issuing of the smart cards was still persisting between the Fisheries department and the fishermen. “We have requested them to allow us to continue fishing with the other official documents available with us and not to press for the smart card. We have even assured them of acting upon any suspicious boats spotted on the sea,” he said. The Sangha office-bearers Naveen Karkera, Manohar Bolur, Naveen Bangera, Harishchandra Mendon and Babu Salian were present in the press meet.