Fishing boats being operated from Machilipatnam and Nagayalanka coast are homebound ahead of annual fishing ban that comes into force from Thursday.
The 60-day ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal is aimed at ensuring safe breeding season for many fish species. At least 1,200 boats, including 95 mechanised boats in Krishna district alone, will have to be anchored until the ban is lifted, and majority of them have already been home-bound from the last term of the fishing by Tuesday.
Nearly 4,000 people in the district, who are engaged in fishing in the Bay of Bengal, will lose their livelihood for the next two months.
“We will ensure that no boat ventures into the sea for fishing until June 14 as per the guidelines of the annual fishing ban. We have begun our study to identify eligible people for release of compensation,” Fisheries Department Assistant Director A. Solomon Raju told The Hindu .
The State government has decided to release a compensation of Rs. 4,000 to each individual who will be affected by the ban. “We are making arrangements to deposit the compensation directly in the account of the beneficiary. The compensation will be released by the end of May,” Mr. Raju said.
However, one has to be certified by the boat owner for consideration for the compensation.
On the other hand, the fisherfolk of Krishna district have in-principle agreed to the guidelines to implement the fishing ban, stressing the need for transparent survey for release of the compensation.
We have begun our study to identify eligible people for release of compensation
A. Solomon Raju
Fisheries Department Assistant Director
