The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Reservations keep fishermen from sea

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Reservations keep fishermen from sea

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 21. It has almost been a month since the tsunami struck. Not all boats, especially in Chennai, were destroyed or damaged by the giant waves. Ministers and officials have been trying to encourage fishermen to resume their operations. But there seems to be reservations among them about resuming their livelihood, for a variety of reasons.

The boats berthed in the harbour at Kasimedu, north Chennai, almost permanently, tell their own tale. Fishermen in the area insist that it is not yet time to go out to sea.

"The waters are not clear. People do not want to eat fish. They think it will be infected. What is the use of going out to sea now? Above all, as a group, we are agitated because all the relief that was promised has not reached us," says one of them, Karmegam.

Brief awaited

Officials, when contacted, said Law Minister, D. Jayakumar, had personally supervised and monitored relief work in north Chennai and even went to sea with the fishermen last week.

Enumeration of the affected families and damaged fishing vessels has been done. Immediate relief has been distributed to all families and minor financial assistance extended for repairs to boats.

The Centre's financial package has been announced, but a detailed brief is being awaited from New Delhi. Only when it is received, can the State Government go ahead with the major aid package, the officials explain.

On another front, officials, non-governmental organisations and veterinarians are trying to drive home the message: "Fish are safe for eating." Some organisations are planning to conduct fish-eating demonstrations to infuse confidence in the people that fish have not been infected in the wake of the tsunami.

The Chennai Corporation launched a "eat fish" campaign with a special buffet for corporators.

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