Mechanised boat fishermen remained indoors in the wake of an indefinite strike
PUDUKOTTAI: There wa no panic in the coastal villages of Pudukottai district following a tsunami warning. According to a cross-section of fishermen, normal life has not been affected in the fishermen colonies of Kottaipattinam, Jagathapattinam, Sellanenthal and surrounding areas.
Mechanised boat fishermen remained indoors in the wake of an indefinite strike currently on in support of the demands on enhanced price for export-oriented prawns.
Director of Fisheries Vijayakumar has called for a tripartite meeting with representatives of fishermen, prawn exporters and officials of the fisheries department. The talks will be held in Chennai on Monday at the office of the Director, according to Kottaipattinam Fishermen Welfare Association president G. Ramakrishnan.
A delegation of 10 fishermen from Kottaipattinam, Jagathapattinam and Sellanenthal will participate in the talks.
He said the association had submitted a memorandum containing their demands to the Chief Minister and other officials.
Prawn price
Pointing out that the export prize on prawn had registered a sudden dip, the delegates would urge the State Government to fix a fair price for prawn to ensure assured returns for fishermen. He said although the State Government sanctioned subsidised diesel, the fishermen found it difficult to meet the expenditure for the fuel.
A monthly quota of 1,500 litres for a boat should be increased to 2,000 litres, he said adding that the demands would be discussed at the meeting.
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