The Sakthikulangara fishing harbour development project will begin by January 2019, said Minister for Fisheries and Harbour Engineering J. Mercykutty Amma here on Saturday. The Harbour Engineering Department will be in charge of the construction and the first draft of the project will be displayed at the harbour during the anniversary celebrations of the Suchitwa Sagaram (Clean Sea) campaign.
“Later, also considering the suggestions of boat owners and fishermen, the final blueprint will be prepared. The foundation stone will be laid in January 2019,” she said after a meeting at Kollam Collectorate to assess the work of Suchitwa Sagaram, a project aimed at bringing down plastic waste accumulation in the sea. As part of the campaign, boats will not dump any plastic waste in the sea and fishermen will collect and bring back all the plastic caught in their nets.
The meeting also decided to intensify the activities under the project and take steps to ensure the participation of maximum number of fishermen. “Giving incentives to fishermen, according to the quantity of plastic waste they bring ashore, is under consideration and a decision will be taken within a month. Also, we are thinking of honouring the fishermen who actively participate in the campaign, during the anniversary celebrations,” the Minister said.
It was also decided to observe Cleanliness Month from October 2 to November 2. The boatowners, who participated in the meeting, has assured the district administration that they will organise various programmes, including mike announcements in coastal areas.