A demonstration on the working of a battery operated boat, with a 10-HP engine, was held by the Department of Fisheries at the Malpe Fisheries Harbour here.
Venkatrao Nadagouda, Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, took a ride in the boat.
Later, speaking to presspersons, Mr. Nadagouda said that the Union government was slowly reducing the kerosene provided to States.
“Fishermen traditionally use kerosene and because of the Centre’s policy, it had become essential to find alternatives to kerosene. Hence the demonstration was held,” he said. The Minister added that it remained to be seen whether battery-operated boats could withstand the waves and if it could be used for fishing.
“Fishermen could carry an alternative battery set in case the existing one ran out of power,” he said. Janardhan Thingalaya, president of Country Boat Fishermen’s Association, said that it was not possible for fishermen to use battery-operated boats because of the size of catch and tidal waves.
“There is a huge difference between a demonstration and working under actual conditions in the sea. The State government should provide kerosene for the mechanised engines used by them,” he said.
Yashpal Suvarna, president of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts Fish Marketing Federation, suggested that the State government purchase kerosene from Indian Oil Company Ltd. and supply it to fishermen. The fishermen would sooner or later come to terms with alternative sources of power. However, the government would do its utmost to provide kerosene for the boats till an alternative for it was found, the Minister added.