Port to get container scanning tower; may stop traditional fishing?

Panambur: New Mangalore port will get a container scanning tower in relation to the container traffic within the port has given rise to the fear that this may stop traditional fishing happening through the port during the monsoon season.

Since many decades, during monsoon seasons, traditional boats were allowed to be berth inside the port and the container scanning tower will be installed at the 1^st, 2^nd and 8^th berth near Kudremukha Wood Company. NMPT officials have informed this to the traditional fishermen. Since there is no jetty in the vicinity of the area, the fishermen are now worried.

Jetty requested

Since the fishermen will face trouble due to NMPT, the homeless fishermen have requested that the proposed Kulai Fishing Jetty be constructed soon. The proposal for jetty is a 5 decades old demand. Though many times there have been discussion on this, the jetty has never been realized. Currently, a project costing 200 crore rupees has been created and may possibly be realized. But the localities who are supposed to give their land for the project have objected it.

Nobody will be forcefully removed from their homes to facilitate the construction of the jetty. Fisheries officials say that the jetty will completely created in the sea. MP Nalin Kumar Kattel is hell bent on creating the jetty. Already, traditional fishing should have begun through NMPT. But, extreme weather is another problem. There is opportunity to fish here till August 31^st.

Demand for the jetty at Kulai itself

The fishermen who gave their land for NMPT say that the jetty must be constructed at Kulai itself. There are many families residing at Hosabettu and we are against forceful removal of residents from their houses, said Hosabettu Mogaveera Association President Gangadhar H.

“The coast guard has not given permission for the construction of a fish auction centre at at the previously determined place. For this reason the NMPT officials’ permission has been taken to create the fish auction centre for traditional fishermen besides the beach road. Since, the officials will take time to construct through the process of tender; the building will be built by the traditional fishermen association. This year, the fish market will take place beside the road. The cooperation of the people’s representatives is required for a permanent facility from next year, informed Vasudeva Baikampady, Traditional Fishermen Association President, Panambur circle.