Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 5: The fishermen from coastal Karnataka, who are already under tremendous financial pressure on account of frequent hike in price of diesel, have now received deadly blow in the form of hostile climate. A large number of mechanized boats have already made a beeline for the seashore, after finding that fishing activity is no more cost effective. Now their woes are worse with upheaval in climatic condition.

70 percent of boats from here, and 80 percent from Malpe and Gangolli ports have returned to their bases because of low pressure area that is threatening to convert into cyclone. The meteorological department has already warned fishermen not to venture into the sea. It has advised those who are in sea to return to their bases. Coast Guard has been sending back fishing boats from the sea and it also has taken steps to ensure that ships do not move through the areas where low pressure area is building.

The fishing boats are already in lot of problems because of fish famine and many boats have returned on account of poor catches. In normal course, mechanized boats get revenue of about Rs 4.50 lac during a single fishing trip. Many fishermen have lamented the fact that the revenue from fish catches over a ten-day period has crashed to about Rs 70,000 whereas the expenses over diesel alone have crossed three lac rupees.

President of Mangalore Trawl Boat Fishermen's Association, Nitin Kumar, stated that the climatic changes have delivered direct blow to fishermen, who have already been facing huge financial deficit. While noting that about 70 percent boats have returned, he pointed out that there is also space crunch to accommodate all the 800 boats from here if they come back.

Malpe Fishermen's Association president, Satish Kunder, stated that in the past, on an average, mechanized boats completed eight to nine trips by September 25, and recorded revenue of Rs 35 to 40 lac rupees. He confessed that this time, boats have completed only three to four trips on an average, and the average revenue from each boat has not crossed ten lac rupees, which points to the grim situation facing the fishing industry.