With a rise in number of mechanised boats berthing at the Malpe Fisheries Harbour, fishermen have been seeking the construction of the fourth stage here.
Since the first and second stages of Malpe Fisheries Harbour were not big enough to accommodate the boats, the third stage was constructed at Baputhota here about a couple of years back.
But even this has not been enough to meet the increasing traffic of boats. While 800 boats can be anchored at the first and second stages, about 600 boats can be berthed at the third stage.
There are 2,100 mechanised boats here, including 1,100 deep sea trawlers, 150 purse seine boats, and 800 other mechanised boats. Boats from other nearby fisheries harbours and jetties also berth at Malpe when the sea is rough.
To deal with this situation, the Department of Fisheries came up with a proposal to construct the fourth stage at the old Malpe port area located next to the third stage. The proposal envisages construction of the fourth stage at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore.
“This proposal has been sent to both the Directorate of Ports and the Directorate of Fisheries. The length of the old port land along the Papanashini River is about 160 metres and we can create facilities for anchoring about 300 boats here,” G.M. Shivakumar, Assistant Director of Fisheries, told The Hindu .
The old port land belongs to the Department of Ports. “Even if it is unable to transfer the land to the Department of Fisheries, we have urged the Department of Ports to give us permission to use the land for construction of a jetty and developing infrastructure,” he said.
Meanwhile, Krishna S. Suvarna, president of Malpe Fishermen’s Association, said that the association will soon be taking up this matter with Minister for Ports and Fisheries Kota Srinivas Poojary.
“Since Mr. Poojary holds both Ports and Fisheries portfolios, we feel this matter can be resolved. The fourth stage will also help reduce the congestion in berthing of boats during monsoon (off-season) and also during holidays,” he said.
