Mangaluru: Dept mulls installation of bio-toilets in fishing boats

Mangaluru: In order to improve the on-board living conditions of the crew, the department of fisheries has decided to mandate the installation of bio-toilets for fishing boats.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, assistance is provided for the installation of Bio toilets onboard the fishing vessels for maintaining hygiene, and prevention of pollution of the sea and oceans.

Around 4,700 motorized boats in the coastal region of Karnataka will be equipped with bio-toilets. The department has also mandated the installation of bio-toilets in the new fishing boats.

For years, the fishing crew has managed without toilets on the mechanized boats, despite their long and arduous stay at sea.

The fishermen are forced to relieve themselves in the open and many fishermen do not relieve themselves for 10–14 days on stretch, which results in health problems.

The bio-toilet converts septage into water and gas with the help of anaerobic bacteria. It eliminates the direct discharge of septage into the sea.