Thiruvananthapuram, July 31 (BPNS)
Fishermen and fishing boat owners of Kerala are in concern after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned fishermen from foraying into the sea for the next four days commencing from July 31.
Incidentally, the 52-day trawling ban which started on June 9th is to end on the midnight of July 31 and around 3600 boats including long liners were planning to venture into the seas from Sunday midnight.
Fishermen and workers of the boats were making minor repairs to the fishing nets, fishing boats, and from Saturday onwards filling diesel and storing ice blocks were taking place in the boats when suddenly the IMD alert came up.
All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association General Secretary, Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal while speaking to BPNS said, “ The IMD failed to issue properly and timely alert during the Ockhi cyclone leading to the loss of lives of several fishermen. After this, the IMD has been issuing frequent weather warnings leading to a blanket ban on fishing activities.”
He said that in 2020 fishermen were allowed to fish only on 53 days and in 2021 only 52 fishing days were made available. He said that fishing was banned for 18 days from April –May month in 2022 and added that fishermen would go to the sea from Sunday night if the Navy, Coast Guard, and the state fisheries department don’t intervene.
Joseph Xavier also said that during the initial days after the trawling ban, fishermen are hopeful of a good catch and that rains would have brought nutrients to the sea attracting a large volume of fish.
Another major problem encountered the fishermen from Kerala is the presence of fibre boats of Tamil Nadu on the Kerala coast. Joseph Xavier said that even though fibre boats from Tamil Nadu during the trawler ban period, many boats were present in the waters.
Antony Joseph, a fisherman from Vypeen while speaking to BPNS said, “I and our team of seven fishermen have made all preparations and were expecting a good catch from Sunday late night onwards but the warning from the IMD has dampened our spirits. We don’t know how we will make up the 52-day ban period if we are not allowed to venture into the sea at least from Sunday night onwards.”
