Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 21: Two boats, which were being used by Tamil Nadu-based fishermen to catch ‘Kappe Bondas' (cuttlefish) variety of fishes, were seized by the police on Thursday October 20. Catching of cuttlefish, which get shelter under the underwater rocks for breeding, by using ‘chowri' (peduncle) of coconut trees, has been banned in the state.

Since the last few years, fishermen who came from Tamil Nadu and Kerala used to catch cuttlefish by using the above method. The local fishermen had noticed a drastic drop in cuttlefish catches, and had attributed the phenomenon to the non-traditional methods employed by the fishermen from other states. The visiting fishermen, however, had turned a deaf ear to their protests.

A large number of fishermen’s organizations including Fishermen’s Association, Tandel Association, and Purse Seine Boat Fishermen’s Association, had submitted a joint memorandum to the department of police and district deputy commissioner, explaining the above problem, about three months back. The deputy commissioner, after considering their submissions, had forbidden fishing by the said method, about a month back.

After they observed that three boats continued to employ the banned method to catch cuttlefish, the fishermen brought two of them to Malpe on Thursday and complained to the police. Personnel of Coastal Police Force, Malpe police station, and officials of fisheries department came to the spot, seized the boats, and kept them in the premises of Coastal Police Force. Over 400 fishermen had gathered during the operation at Malpe on Thursday night.

The police took steps to ensure that no untoward incidents occurred because of the anger of the local fishermen who had come together on this occasion.