Fishermen of mechanised boats are happy about resumption of fishing after a 61-day ban came to an end. Thoothukudi fishing harbour with a fleet of 240 mechanised boats is abuzz with preparation to resume fishing.
Having completed overhauling works, the mechanised boats are ready to set sail. Arrival of huge tonnes of icebars, drinking water cans and other essential commodities for cooking food on board obviously indicated sailing in the early hours of Thursday.
Now, the ice plants were back in operation in full swing.
M. Dharmapitchai, president, Thoothukudi Mechanised Fishing Boat Fishermen Labourers Association, told The Hindu here on Wednesday that against the normal fishing season, the usage of ice bars would be more now. Since all the boats remained moored in this hot summer season during the ban, more ice bars were required to keep the fishholds cold. Normally during the fishing season, 20 icebars each weighing hundred kg would be required for a boat, but now it needs a total of 50 icebars, he said.
On the other hand, he said fishermen during the off season throughout the ban period encountered hard times as they had no source of income. Unlike last year, the fishing ban period was extended to 61 days culminating on June 14 this year.
Adding to their woes, the fishermen had spent of a tough time for another 16 days away from the sea. Considering the fishing ban period and the lean period, relief assistance was being provided by the government every year. However, the relief was insufficient to meet the expenses during this 61-day ban period, he said.
The expenditure incurred on boat maintenance was high. Since most of the fleet had steel built body, which could withstand rough sea weather to some extent, expenses increased, said S. Joe Boy, former secretary, Thoothukudi Mechanised Boat Owners Association. Citing this, he urged the State government to extend subsidised diesel to all mechanised boats to make up expenses on maintenance.
P. Antony Ajith, a boat owner, Thoothukudi, said expenditure ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh had been incurred on a boat.
