Anticipating a bumper catch after the 45-day annual ban on fishing coming to an end, fishermen ventured into the sea from the early hours of Sunday from Gilakaladindi harbour near Machilipatnam.
The Fisheries Department enforced the ban between April 14 and May 31 for conservation of marine fish species and their growth during the breeding season. Hundreds of fishermen operating different types of boats and nets sailed into the Bay of Bengal a few hours after the ban expired.
Special pujaHowever, fishermen perched on mechanised boats aimed at a handsome catch of Tuna and Tiger prawn in the deep waters as many of them have nearly perfected the art of using fish tracking devices. On Saturday, the womenfolk offered special puja to their local deity before their men ventured into the blue waters.
Fisheries Department Assistant Director T. Kalyanam told The Hindu that a majority of the mechanised boats among the 95 operating from Gilakaladindi harbour were now engaged in fishing.
For the estimated 6,000 fishermen directly dependent on fishing activity in Krishna district, the end of ban eventually brought their lifeline back.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders involved in fishing trade have geared up for the first catch of the new season by 750 country-made boats that are likely to reach the shore in two days. These country-made boats registered with the A.P State Fisheries Department are being operated from different locations in Krishna district.
