Media Release

Udupi, Nov 28: A delegation of Malpe fishermen, led by Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, held discussions with Karnataka's minister for fisheries, ports, and inland water transport, Mankal Vaidya, on Tuesday. The meeting focused on resolving issues at Malpe fishing port and addressing several pressing demands related to the fishing community.

MLA Yashpal Suvarna emphasized key concerns, including allocating land for the Malpe Women Fishermen’s Association to support their dry fish trade, regular dredging to clear silt for uninterrupted fishing operations, and simplifying regulations to expedite insurance payouts for fishing accidents. He also urged the construction of a new jetty to alleviate space constraints for traditional and mechanized boats, the implementation of a uniform fisheries policy to ensure smooth operations in coordination with Goa, Maharashtra, and Kerala, and reserving land near Tebma Shipyard for fisheries-related purposes to facilitate the fourth phase of harbor development.

Dayanand Suvarna, president of the Malpe Fishermen's Association, reiterated these issues during the meeting.

Minister Mankal Vaidya responded positively to the delegation's appeals, assuring that the demands would be addressed on priority. He announced plans to visit Malpe harbor soon to evaluate the situation and take steps to implement fishermen-centric initiatives.

The meeting was attended by fisheries department director Dinesh Kaller, Kuloor Mogaveera Sangha president Bharat, Malpe Mechanized Trawl Boat Fishermen's Cooperative Society president Ramachandra Kundar, Pursene Boat Fishermen's Association president Nagraj Suvarna, Deep-Sea Trawl Boat Association president Subhash Mendon, Women Fishermen's Association president Sumitra, fishermen's association secretary Jagannath, fisheries cell president Manjunath Salian, vice president of the Mechanized Trawl Boat Cooperative Society Prakash Banger, and other representatives of the fishing community.