Post-rains, fishermen's safety issues hog limelight

Mangalore, June 1 (UNI) In the wake of the recent death of six fishermen after their boats capsized in the rough sea and mounting risks involved in fishing during rainy season, issues like possessing life jackets, very high frequency (VHF) communication sets in fishing boats and insurance to boats and labourers have come to the fore.

According to Coast Guard sources, many fishing boats were not equipped with VHF-based communication sets and life jackets, making the their job difficult during rescue operations.

According to Fisheries Deputy Director Suresh Kumar, though it was not mandatory, it was safe for every fishing boat to get insured as fishing was a dangerous profession. As there was no laid down policy from the Government, at the personal level, insurance could be made to both boats and persons employed in the boat.

Prominent fishermen leader and All Karnataka Fishermen's Action Committee President Pramod Madhwaraj told UNI that an investment of at least Rs 15 lakh was required for a fishing boat and the annual premium for an insured boat would be about Rs one lakh. While the bank extending loan for purchasing the boat insisted on insurance, those who independently buy boats would not wish to further invest on insurance.

Hoping that the Government would come out with an Act to make insurance mandatory following the increased mishaps, he lamented that the issue generally cropped up only during boat mishaps.

Mr Madhwaraj said the National Fishermen Forum, which would meet on June five, would discuss in detail prominent issues pertaining to security aspects of fishermen.

Besides a large number of country boats, there were over 3,500 mechanised boats on the Karnataka coast carrying out fishing with over one lakh fishermen. Of them, 1,500 mechanised boats would do deep sea fishing, remaining in the waters for eight to ten days.

UNI MA GD RKN1720