Summer showers and the prediction of a near-normal monsoon have raised the expectation level of boat operators here who are all set to resume fishing season after end of 47-day annual ban period from midnight of May 31.
The high operational cost notwithstanding, almost 50 per cent of 600-odd mechanised boats, 100 mini trawlers and big trawlers and 250 to 300 beach landing crafts have opted for voyage in the first batch.
The boat operators used the ban meant for conservation of fish resources, after their numbers dwindled due to overexploitation, on repair and retrofitting of their vessels. Each mechanised boat owner has spent nearly Rs.2 lakh to Rs.3 lakh on oil tank, bottom propeller, wood, fibre change and painting work. At least 500 to 600 metres of wire rope has been replaced.
“The showers experienced during the ban period have come as a big boon. This apart, the prediction of a near-normal monsoon has raised our expectation of a big catch during post-ban period,” Ch. Veeraju, a boat owner told The Hindu on Monday.
Most of the boat owners have completed renewal of registration of their vessels with the Fisheries Department and Marine Product Export Development Authority. Insurance of crew is also completed.
Voyage is normally undertaken for 15 days towards north. The boats will hunt for catch mostly pink brown shrimp, white and tiger prawn towards Gopalpur and Paradip of Odisha. Miscellaneous fish like vanjiram and pomfret come as bonanza.
“The repair works are almost complete. Now we have started procuring ice, oil and provisions for crew,” said Ch. Satyanarayana Murthy, president of Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association.
The fishermen from Visakhapatnam had a bumper catch last year during post-ban voyage and this time also they are confident of a repeat.
