Notwithstanding the Union and State governments extending the fishing season by a fortnight till June 15 to offset COVID-19 lockdown losses, not many fishermen are keen on taking up deep sea fishing.
While the fishermen’s strong conviction that marine life should be given adequate breather for breeding as well as growth was one of the reasons, a four-day cyclone warning starting Monday was also another reason for the lukewarm response from the fishermen to the extended season.
Mangaluru Trawl Boat Meenugarara Sangha president Nithin Kumar told The Hindu that marine fishermen in the State had the worst fishing season in 2019-20 with a never-heard fish famine. Even if the season is extended by a fortnight, their fortunes would change little. It was prudent to leave marine life undisturbed for two months to get good catch next season starting October, he said.
Moreover, the sea becomes highly volatile at the entry to Mangaluru fishing harbour even with small weather changes in monsoon. With the monsoon in the offing, fishermen were not eager about taking a risk. Even New Mangalore Port Trust this time has refused to allow fishing boats to berth on its premises during monsoon for various reasons, including COVID-19, national security and lack of space, he said. Hence, fisherman have nowhere to go if the weather becomes rough, he said. With fishing becoming an industry, there was a large dependence on migrant workers, a majority of whom have left for their native places, Mr. Kumar said.
Yet, a few short-range fishing vessels with engines less than 110 hp could venture out for overnight fishing as a few workers from Uttara Kannada district have arrived in Mangaluru.
Meanwhile, fisherman associations in Udupi district too have decided not to utilise the extended season. No vessel would go out from June 1; but those who have already ventured out could return till June 4, the associations have said.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Director of Fishing Parshwanath said that not many fishermen would venture out because of the cyclone warning. One has to see how many would venture out after June 5 till June 15, he said.