Fishing season began a little late preceded by heavy gale and thunderstorms, after the end of the 47-day annual ban.
Almost 50 per cent of 600-odd mechanised boats went on a voyage, most of them on short trip due to severe ice shortage. “Majority of boats have gone towards Bhimili, Pudimadaka, Kalingapatnam and Bhavanapadu for two or three days of fishing due to ice shortage,” AP Mechanised Boat Operators’ Welfare Association president P.C. Apppa Rao said.
Stating that pre-monsoon showers this year had given them hope of a good catch, he asked the authorities concerned to increase diesel subsidy. As the operation cost was fast increasing, the State Government should raise the subsidy.
Mr. Rao told that the State was giving only Rs.6.03 as subsidy per litre of diesel when its cost was Rs.37. Now it was costing over Rs.61 and the fishermen want it doubled proportionate to diesel price increase.
He said the government should treat cyclones as natural calamity and give adequate compensation for property loss suffered during cyclones and relax norms for payment of ex gratia to those who lost life while on voyage during rough weather conditions.
