Fishermen 'unhappy' over entended ban on fishing

Visakhapatnam, Jun 16 (UNI) The Mechanised Boat Operators Association today threatened to defy the ban on fishing in the sea if the Centre extended the ban period from 45 to 62 days in the East coast region.

Talking to UNI, Association leaders P Ch Appa Rao and Ch Satyanarayana Murthy expressed displeasure over the Centre's alleged backtracking on the commitment to impose a uniform ban across the country. Instead, it had imposed a 62-day ban in the Eastern sea side foregoing the customary period of 45 days, they alleged.

Most of the fishermen, vessel owners and the members of the Association of Indian Fisheries Industries here were expecting to get a 'bumper catch' after the conservation period observed for the first time by the all the mechanised boats.

However, the increase in fuel prices and Rupee appreciation had pushed them into a state of ambiguity on how to fare well with their catch in the international export market.

UNI BSR SJ 1901