Traditional fishermen yet to receive expected profit

Team Udayavani, Jul 27, 2018, 5:39 PM IST

• Traditional boats have not ventured into the sea
• Adverse weather conditions

Mangaluru: The time limit for fishing through traditional boats in Karavali is coming to an end. In a week’s time, preparations will begin for fishing through mechanized trawlers. The regrettable fact is that since the weather conditions remained adverse in this cycle, the traditional fishermen were unable to go fishing and this has given rise to much sadness amongst them.

Adverse weather condition has hit fishing. This time, traditional fishermen have not earned profits they had expected. This season, traditional fishing started much later than the designated time, followed by boats returning from the seas empty-handed. Due to violent seas, most of the traditional boats remained on the coast and did not venture into the sea. The boats which dared to venture into the sea ended up counter-productive in their attempt, informed fishermen with much sadness.

The rain which started from the end of May month turned the sea violent and thus impacted fishing. During the monsoon season, fishing is banned for the first two months of the monsoon since is the breeding and pre-recruitment period of most of the commercially important species. Mechanized trawlers will then begin fishing from around August 10^th. Hence it was vital that traditional fishermen did fishing within this time.

Tough Catch

Last time by the end of July, single traditional boat fishermen had earned 3-5 lakh rupees in profit. But this time, the very same fishermen have earned only up to Rs. 50,000 in profit. Not even half of what was earned last time has been earned this time, lament the fishermen.

Request to extend the time limit

Last time, since the sea was slightly violent, the traditional fishermen were allowed to carry on fishing until September. This time too, requests will be put forth for extension of the limit for some more days, informed Traditional Boat Fishermen Association President to Udayavani.

Huge loss

 “Traditional fishing has suffered huge loss due to the violent sea. A few boats have not yet ventured into the sea. In a few days, mechanized trawlers will begin fishing,” complains Vasudeva B.K., President of Mangaluru Traditional Boat Fishermen Association.