Mangaluru: Permanent plan to be made for port’s redevelopment says Min Angara

Mangaluru: Minister of Ports and Inland Transport Department and Fisheries S Angara said that a special meeting will be held with officials of the Fisheries and Ports department as well as the fishing community to draft a permanent plan for the redevelopment of the fishing port here.

On his first visit to the port on Tuesday, after becoming the fisheries minister Angara inaugurated the “FFPO information camp” along with reviewing the issues and challenges faced by the port.

“Steps will be taken to develop the 3rd phase of jetty expansion as the boats are facing trouble in docking. Various schemes will also be implemented to reduce the load of fishermens’ work. Even if there are no government grants, projects will be implemented from other sources,” he said.

MLA Vedvyas Kamath said that the 3rd phase of the jetty expansion will soon be approved by the Cabinet. Adding that large fines will be imposed on fishermen from Kerala and Maharashtra causing a problem for Karnataka fishermen. The attention of the Central government will also be drawn to address the issue.

Fisheries Development Corporation Chairman Nitin Kumar said that a Rs 22 crore proposal has been submitted to the government to temporarily complete the construction work on the 3rd phase of the jetty. Adding that most of the problems would be resolved if the plan is approved.

Officials also said that FFPOs will be set up in Mangaluru, Udupi, Karwar, Mysuru and Shivmogga to solve the problems of fishermen. The objective of these FFPO will be to provide a good price for fishermen’s products, a suitable market, and avoiding the interference of middlemen. All the information and items required for fishing can be obtained through the FFPOs.

MLA Kamath, also said that Prime Minister Modi had raised awareness on the cultivation of seaweed along the coasts of India. The seaweeds can be used as fertilizers by farmers. Weed cultivation has caused a revolution in Gujarat. Seaweed will also be grown in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.