Infra growth of fishing harbour sought

PARADIP:Despite getting the Export Inspection Agency (EIA) status from the Union Ministry of Commerce for Paradip fishing harbour, the members of Odisha Marine Fish Producers’ Association (OMFPA) on Friday threatened to stage demonstration demanding infrastructure development and other facilities in the harbour.

Sources said Paradip fishing harbour has recently received EIA status to handle, display and auction wild-caught fish products meant for export as required under the Export of Fresh, Frozen and Processed Fish and Fishery Products (Quality Control and Inspection and Monitoring) Rules, 1995.
Meanwhile, the harbour will soon be eligible to obtain Euro Standard certification to boost fish export in the State.

OMFPA president Srikant Parida said Paradip fishing harbour lacks basic facilities and is overcrowded. At present, 700 fishing trawlers and 2,000 medium-size vessels operate from the jetty. Although the number of mechanised boats has been increasing, the infrastructure has remained the same. Fishermen do not get space to anchor their boats in the harbour after returning from the sea and they have to wait for two to three days and in the process, the catch gets damaged, he added.

Similarly, the sea water has been wreaking havoc ever since the strategic structural portion of the jetty at the confluence of the sea and the Mahanadi had suffered damage, posing erosion threat to the harbour. Fishing vessels are now using Barunei channel as an alternative entry point into the harbour, he said.
On the other hand, frequent low pressure and rough sea condition have restricted fishing activities, affecting fishermen’s livelihood. Similarly, under Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 1983, prohibitory orders on fishing remain effective from November 1 to May 31 due to breeding of turtles, he added.Fishermen have sought the intervention of the State Government for infrastructure development of the fishing harbour.