Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri

Udupi, May 3: A massive protest was held by the fishermen representing Malpe fishermen association on Saturday May 3 morning, at Malpe Fisheries Port, urging the port authorities to relocate Tebma Shipyard at the earliest. 

Malpe fisheries port was set up with the assistance of both union and state governments during 1965. The first phase of works at the port were held from 1975 to 1983 on 56 acre plot while 10 acre plot was earmarked for constructing slipway at the port, for parking the fisheries boats. The state government had leased this 10 acre plot to M/s Tebma Shipyard during 1999, in order to build the slipway, as it was included in the master plan of port.

Accordingly, the state government assured better infrastructure facilities to local fishermen after executing the slipway works by Tebma. However, Tebma Shipyard had the lucrative plan to undertake building and repairs to trawlers, barges and median sized ocean going vessels, while Tebma authorities never bothered to go back to the agreement that they had signed to build the slipway, thereby cheating the local fishermen and the government.

The protests by local fishermen were held to draw the attention of the plight of fishermen in the wake of Tebma’s aggressive plans to go into further expansion into ship building at the existing facility.

The delegation of fishermen met the chief minister reigned during 2005, managed to convince him of the injustice meted out to fishermen at Malpe fisheries port by Thabma and ordered to construct the slipway at the earliest.  However, Thabma seems to be functioning keeping all its operation secret from the fisheries community and the government alike.

The fisheries community of over 25,000 people is engaged in the age-old profession of fishing in 1000 mechanized boats, 1500 country boats. The people who are directly or indirectly dependent on fisheries for their livelihood have urged the state government to relocate the shipyard.

Malpe fishermen association president Hiriyanna P Kidiyoor, trawler owners’ association president Sudhakar Kotian, Gurudev Bangera, country boat fishermen association president Dejappa P Kunder, Malpe fishermen association Rama Kanchan, Somappa Kanchan, Sadhoo Salian Radha Suvarna, Janardhan Tingalaya and a large number of fishermen from the neighbouring fisheries colonies were present at the protest.

The delegation led by the fishermen leaders submitted the memorandum to the state government through deputy commissioner Hemalatha Ponnuraj.