Karnataka - Udupi   

Decline in fish catch adding to fishermen's woes

By Ganesh Prabhu

UDUPI, JAN. 25. The fishermen at Malpe have been hit by the sharp decline in fish catch in the past three months.

The Malpe Fisheries Harbour is the biggest in the State. There are 318 deep sea trawlers, 256 gilnet boats with outboard engines, 187 small boats, and 76 purse seine boats at Malpe. The decline in the fish catch has dealt a big blow to fishermen with deep sea trawlers, apart from affecting those with other boats. According to the figures made available by the Malpe Yantrika Doni Menugarara Sangha, the fish catch at Malpe harbour was 16,714 tonnes from September 2002 to December 2002. This year, the catch during the same period reduced to 14,194 tonnes.

Owners of deep sea trawlers complained that they could not catch pink perch fish, which is exported to other countries. This apart, they said they failed to catch cuttle fish or squids during this period. Similarly, fishermen owing purse seine boats complained of not catching mackerels. Usually, the jetty at the harbour is empty with all boats out in the high seas during this period. But now, the port is full of boats berthed at the decks.

The secretary of the Malpe Fishermen's Association, Janardhan Kanchan, said only 30 trawlers were out in the high seas to survey if any fish was available. There was no point in all trawlers venturing into the sea when no fish was available, he added.

The figures pertaining to diesel consumption by the boats made available by the sangha testify his statement. In October 2003, the diesel consumed by the boats at Malpe harbour was 664 kilolitres as against 711 kilolitres in October 2002.

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