Amid uproar among fisher folk over extending fishing ban from 45 days period to 60 days, the Fisheries authorities are asking them to remain prepared for the 60-day ban.
The government is yet to announce its final decision on the annual fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal. The ban will be from April 15 in the State, despite the fact that the government has not been able convince all stakeholders of the need for implementation of the sixty-day ban. While the government is for prolonging the ban period for conservation of marine fish species, the fisher folk are accusing the authorities of robbing them of their livelihood.
“The government will release Rs. 2,000 package to each family, which is engaged in fishing activity, compensating their income on fishing and allied activities,” Fisheries Department Deputy Director P. Jayaraj said.
Earlier, the package, including rice offered to each eligible family, was barely worth around Rs. 600.
A maximum of eight persons are eligible for the package for each mechanised boat, while it is six for each motorised boat, as they will directly loose employment during the ban period.
“We are yet to receive a communication from the government on the number of days of the ban. However, we have been directed to implement the ban from April 15,” Mr. Jayaraj added.
Statistics suggest that nearly 500 motorised boats and 95 mechanised ones are engaged in fishing in Krishna district and their operators told communicated to stop fishing from April 14 night.
