Chennai, Dec 12 (BPNS)
The fishermen organizations of Tamil Nadu have requested the state government to provide immediate assistance for their damaged fishing nets and vessels during the recent Cyclone Mandous.
According to fishermen groups and associations, fishing nets and vessels worth Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs were damaged in the recent cyclone and rains.
M.D. Dhayalan, President of the Indian Fishermen association, Kasimedu while speaking to media persons said, “The fishermen did not venture into seas for the past seven days. Fishermen need the immediate assistance of Rs 15000 per trawler and need it at the earliest. We came to know that the government is conducting a survey on the damaged vessels and nets but we are asking for immediate assistance without which trawlers cannot venture out into the seas.”
It is to be noted that around 180 to 200 tonnes of fish are caught at the Kasimedu fishing harbour alone and after the announcement of Cyclone Mandous, the fishermen could not venture into the sea for the past week.
Fishermen also complain that many fishing boats and trawlers were damaged and the amount of money required for the maintenance of these fishing boats and nets will be much higher.
Swaminathan, a fisherman from Kasimedu fishing harbour told BPNS,” The fishing community is at big difficulty and we need assistance immediately. After the government announced that Cyclone Mandous was forming, we suspended our activities and this has led to us not having any money left even for our expenses.”
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