Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 11: A large number of fishermen involved with fishing activity in the district belong to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha etc. Most of them have returned to their native places to cast their votes for the Lok Sabha poll. As such, many boats have been moored at the fishing ports and fishing has, to a large extent, come to a standstill.

Out of about 400 deep sea boats functioning from the dock at the old Bunder area here, nearly 4,000 workers are from other states. In those states, first phase of election is being held on Thursday April 11. These fishing workers have taken leave and returned to their places.

Polling which begins non April 11 will go on till May 19 in seven phases. As elections are being held on different days from different places, sources in the Trawl Boat Fishermen's Association said that the fishing activity might continue to face shortage of labour till April 15.