Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 14: Over 80 boats that went for fishing from the shore here on the night of Monday April 12, returned without indulging in any fishing activity before Tuesday morning, because of cyclonic storms that put paid to their plans.

A trawler boat, ‘Malaraya Kripa’ owned by Ashok Kumar, developed engine problems while at sea. When the fishermen in the boat tried to anchor it, it tilted to a side and capsized. Some other boats in the vicinity rushed to save the fishermen in distress. The boat was later tugged to the shore with the help of four other boats.

“Because of the sudden cyclone experienced at mid-sea, the fishermen on the coast between Manjeshwar and Mangalore could not conduct fishing activity. Most of those who were conducting fishing at night were forced to abandon their plans and return empty-handed. At the same time, Malpe was mostly free of any cyclonic effect,” said fishermen leader, Umesh Karkera.

Another fishermen leader, Mohan Bengre, said that most of the purse seine boats that ventured into the sea for fishing on Monday night, returned, as the sea was tumultuous. Some of the trawler boats could not set sail, he added.