TAKING OVER: President of the Fish Federation Gangandhar Suvarna (third from right) recieving the keys of the new tanker at the Federation premises in Muli Hitlu in Mangalore on Thursday.

MANGALORE: The Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Fish Marketing Federation is on an acquisition spree according to the president of the federation Y. Gangadhar Suvarna. Mr. Suvarna said that the federation has made a turnover of Rs. 27.99 crore with a profit of Rs. 79.76 lakh for 2005-06.

Fishing vessels

The federation operated 449 fishing vessels in both the districts and efforts are on to increase the numbers by offering "statement of purpose" to the fishermen co-operatives and groups. Mr. Suvarna said the federation had four diesel outlets and the business turnover from fuel and oil sales exceeded Rs. 20.35 crore. It also earned Rs. 7.18 crore form sale of fish, he added.

He said it was true that the federation was under losses in the past but it was able to recover with help from banks and the Government. However, a loss of Rs. 1.20 crore was still pending and efforts were on to clear in the next two years.

Mr. Suvarna said the share of the number of boats under the control of the federation was just 25 per cent in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. He said talks were on with the individual owners, various fishermen bodies and associations to have their own network or ensure total integration into the federation. Fishermen leaders had understood the value and importance of having a large-scale federation that could provide good backing for the fishing industry, he said.

Ice plants

Mr. Suvarna said, the federation has begun the work on a series of ice plants in coastal areas.

The first one was to come up in old Mangalore port before September, and the boat repair shop on the port was to be upgraded to handle new generation marine engines with adequate stock of spare parts and accessories.

The new tanker would help the federation reach the fuel to the fishing vessels in time in both districts, he added.

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