Boats getting ready for beginning of fishing season from August 1

Mangaluru: Fishing activity is all set to resume from August 1 after the completion of the two-month long stoppage. Fishermen are gearing up for the start of the fishing season with the hope of a good catch.

Boats, engines, fishing nets, and other gear are being repaired in full swing. Ice plants are also expected to run at full capacity by July 31. The migrant laborers from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and other states employed in fishing boats were also seen returning post vacations.

More than 1,400 boats, including purse seine and trawlers, are docked at Mangalore and around 2,166 boats are engaged in fishing from Malpe and Gangoli ports.

The fisherfolk were disappointed by the low fish catch and soaring diesel prices during the last 3 months of the fishing season. Many boats returned ashore prematurely. However, the hopes of a good catch have reignited.

Mohan Bengre, leader of the fishermen, said that they were expecting a good harvest this year.  All they hope is good weather and lower diesel prices.

The prices have diesel have reduced as compared to the summer season. This has reduced the burden on the fishing boats, he said.  The government provides Rs 9,000 per month for diesel used for fishing boats.

Shashi Kumar Bengre, president of Karnataka Purse Seine Fishermen’s Association and Nitin Kumar, president of Mangalore Trawlboat Fishermen’s Association, also echoed similar optimism. Preparations are almost complete, they said, anticipating a good fish harvest this year.