Guidelines issued for traditional fishing

TNN | Apr 15, 2020, 04:25 IST

Measures taken to ensure fish are sold by maintaining social distancing at Paliguda Ground in Udupi

Udupi: With the Covid-19 lockdown in force, considering fish to be an essential commodity, the district administration allowed traditional fishing from April 10, but imposed a set of rules on fishermen. Fishermen from Byndoor taluk, who have the most country boats in the district, were unhappy over this. They did not like it that a time limit was fixed to catch and sell fish. They demanded common guidelines for fishermen in the entire district. Accordingly, deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha approved common guidelines for fishermen on Tuesday .
Udupi deputy director of fisheries, Ganesh, said that the guidelines include conditions like only 10HP boats be used for fishing, only 5 fishermen be allowed in a boat, and that the fish could be unloaded at 19 landing points identified by the fisheries department. No boats are allowed in the port or jetty.
The catch must be sold either in wholesale or at the doorsteps of customers. They are allowed to sell it on a landing point like beaches. Fishermen can fix prices through an association. If anyone is found selling fish at exorbitant prices, their boat licence will be cancelled, state the guidelines.
“Fishing and selling activities should end by 11 am. The local administration can lend support if fishermen want to set up a market where social distancing can be maintained. We have such a model market at Palliguda ground in Koda gram panchayat limits,” said Ganesh .