Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 1: After a two-month holiday, mechanized fishing activity begins in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Karwar and Kasargod districts from Thursday, August 1.

Over 1,200 trawl boats are preparing to venture into the sea on the first day of the new fishing season. The district has about 850 deep sea trawl boats and about 350 wooden boats. Most of the deep sea trawl boats will take to the sea today while the remaining trawl boats and most of the purse seine boats here will begin fishing activity after performing Samudra Puja ritual. Wooden boats will go into the sea only after the climate turns favourable.

In Udupi district too mechanized boats are preparing for new season. It is said that in Malpe, from where over 2,000 mechanized boats operate, boats will begin operations after August 6. In Kasargod, boats are waiting to begin hunt for fishes on Thursday.

Satish Kunder, president of Malpe Fishermen's Association, said that last year, mechanized fishing was hopeless and even country boat fishing during the rainy season was disappointing. He said that the fishermen are hoping that during the new season they will have better luck. At the same time, he revealed that the fishermen have a sense of apprehension too about the uncertainty that surrounds their profession.