The fisheries sector in the district and nearby areas has been hit by the ongoing agitation by local fishermen demanding restriction on fishing operation by crafts from other parts.
The local fishermen working in small and large crafts operating from the fishing points in the district and neighbouring districts of Kozhikode and Kasaragod are now agitating to highlight their demand for controlling the entry of large inboard crafts from other parts into their local bases of operation. The protesting fishermen are on an indefinite relay fasting at the Mappila Bay Fishing Harbour here, a major fish landing centre. Their major grievance is that the operation of fishing crafts from other parts is affecting their catch. As a result, the potential fishing days were on the decrease, they said, adding that the local fishermen were not getting fair price for their catch. Joint Director of Fisheries Dineshan Cheruvat will convene a meeting of representatives of agitating fishermen in Kozhikode on Thursday. Five earlier meetings had turned inconclusive.
Meanwhile, representatives of the All Kerala Fish Merchants and Commission Agents Association here alleged that the owners of large inboard crafts were behind the agitation to paralyse the fisheries business here. They said that the demand that entry of fishing crafts from outside should be restricted and that their catch should not be auctioned would result in a crisis in the fishing activities in the region.
The association’s Mappila Bay unit decided to suspend fishing trade until the dispute between owners of fishing crafts were settled, they said at a press meet here on Wednesday.
Fisheries Joint Director convenes meeting of fishermen
Fish merchants forum’s Mappila Bay unit to suspends trade
Fishermen demand restriction on crafts from other areas.
