Monsoon fishing ban in K'taka

Mangalore, June 17 (UNI) The Government imposed a ban on monsoon fishing in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi from Thursday till August 10 to protect the lives of fishermen from the rough sea during the period.

According to the order, mechanised fishing had been banned for 57 days from Thursday in the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada, while the ban would be in force for 45 days in Uttar Kannada district till July 29.

The order clarified that deep sea trawlers, which could venture into the sea from August three, should return to the shores only at the closing hours on August ten. Traditional boats with or without outboard engines up to 25 HP could undertake coastal fishing during the ban period.

Fishermen who have sheltered their boats on the boat yard since Thursday have engaged in repair work on their boats.

Various fishermen associations had strongly urged the Union Government to impose uniform fishing ban in the country. Unlike in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, there was only 45 days ban in Uttar Kannada district and Kerala. It was unjust that during the ban period, foreign vessels were allowed to fish in the Indian coast, the fishermen said, adding that the ban in Karnataka coast was not based on any scientific study.

UNI MA GD DH RAI0505