The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Fisheries sector to be strengthened

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 28, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Fisheries sector to be strengthened

M. Raghuram

Central team submits report on need to improve infrastructure at fishing ports

BANGALORE: A Central team of experts under the leadership of the Joint Commissioner (Fisheries), Union Ministry of Agriculture, M.K.R. Nair, has recommended the improvement of infrastructure along the coast, including landing and berthing facilities, in the State’s three coastal districts.

Assessment

The team, which includes the Deputy Commissioner (Fishing Harbours), Union Ministry of Ports, L. Shankar; the Director of the Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery, Bangalore, K. Omprakash; and the Director, State Fisheries Department, Veerappa Gowda, was constituted to “evaluate and assess” activities in the fisheries ports and ascertain the need for additional infrastructure.

The team is of the view that coastal fisheries infrastructure, such as extension of wharfs, berthing facilities, auction halls, roads and lighting, and water and toilets for fisherfolk are required.

Visits ports

Sharing details of the Central team’s findings, Mr. Veerappa Gowda told The Hindu here on Thursday that the team had visited fishing ports at Udupi, Mangalore and Gangolli, and a report had been sent to the Union Government.

Extension of wharf

The team has said that the wharf at the Mangalore fishing port must be extended up to 700 metres, as the number of boats is increasing each year. At Malpe too the wharf, jetties and landing areas need to be extended.

Mr. Gowda said the Malpe fishing harbour was the largest in the State and was considered the safest. Fishermen preferred to come to Malpe during rough weather rather than go to Mangalore or Gangolli.

Land earmarked

The authorities at the Malpe fishing harbour showed the team the land earmarked for construction of an additional wharf.

The existing infrastructure at Mangalore had exceeded its capacity. Over 700 boats are being berthed in a place that was meant for only 350 boats, he said.

At Gangolli the team found that auctioning halls, landing space and some other structures were required. The Rs. 8.32-crore expansion programme assisted by the Centre was still in progress. It included a 400-metre wharf with two auction halls, he said.

Silt formation

The Gangolli port faces the problem of silt formation. The team decided to recommend to the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, to conduct hydrographic and hydrodynamic studies in the area and suggest a remedy. The report was expected in a month’s time, Mr. Gowda said.

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