Udupi: The Traditional Fishermen’s Association has given the district administration a week to stop practices such as bull trawling utilised by mechanised fishing boats. If the association’s demand is not met within seven days, they have threatened to seize the deputy commissioner’s office.
In a press meet held at Karthik Hotel, Udupi on Saturday, October 5, Traditional Fishermen’s Association President Anand Kharvi said that more than 50,000 fishermen rely on traditional fishing techniques in the district. He said, “During the fishing season, from August to May, more than 5,000 traditional Nada boats and 450 troll boats indulge in fishing.”
“There needs to be a ban on unscientific fishing methods, such as bull trawling and fishing using lights, that are being adopted by mechanised fishing boats. But, the state, as well as the central government, have failed to impose such a ban,” he added.
The fishing season normally starts from the first week of August. But, due to bad weather and some other reasons, the traditional boats have started fishing from the second week of September.
Responding to a query, Kharvi said that the association had brought the matter to the notice of the Karnataka Minister of Ports and Fisheries Kota Srinivas Poojary and local MLAs. He said, “Fishing using traditional boats and techniques have existed for several centuries. The fishermen in our district use Rani net, Kairampani, Patte Bale, Kanthu Bale, etc for fishing. But, nowadays, some fishermen are using modern techniques such as fishing using lights, etc.”
Kharvi further said that a delegation from the association had met the Deputy Commissioner and had urged him to take the necessary actions on unscientific fishing methods and that he had agreed to do it.
The association members have decided to give the DC one week to resolve the issue, and should the administration fail in this regard, the association said that they would lay siege to the office of the Deputy Commissioner.
Traditional Fishermen’s Association leaders Chandrakanth Karkera, Manju Billava, Praveen Shreeyan, Laxminaryaya, Suresh Kharvi, Rathnakar Mendon, Hirish Tingalaya, and others were present at the press meet.
