While fishermen in coastal Karnataka are busy mooring their vessels in docks and sea shores following 61-day fishing holiday across the west coast from June 1, fishermen in Kerala have reportedly decided to follow the earlier practice of 45-day holiday starting June 15.
The Union government had decided to have uniform fishing holiday across the coast to facilitate proper breeding of the marine life. It was also aimed at avoiding unnecessary clashes between fishermen of different States while observing holidays in different dates.
National Fish Workers Union vice-president Vasudev Boloor confirmed Kerala’s unwillingness and said the move would defeat the very purpose of following the uniform fishing holiday. The Union cannot do anything immediately and would have to discuss the issue in the next meeting, he said.
Sources in the Karnataka Department of Fisheries told The Hindu that as of now fishermen in Kerala have not pulled out of the sea. However, a decision on uniform holiday would be taken on Tuesday, sources said.
Meanwhile, the fishing holiday has commenced in Karnataka coast with fishermen bringing their vessels to the coast and securing them either at designated jetties or beach-side makeshift shelters. While heavy vessels like trawlers and purse-seine vessels have to be moored in jetties, conventional boats with outboard engines could be docked on beaches close to residences of fishermen.
The holiday on the west coast does not apply to conventional boats with outboard engines less than 10 HP and also small boats. Whenever the sea is not rough during the monsoon, fishermen venture out for the catch. Also catch from rivers would be available, he added.
The Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru, has issued a warning to fishermen and the public. It said strong offshore winds from Southwesterly to Westerly direction, with speed occasionally reaching 45 to 55 kmph are likely along the Karnataka coast during the next 24 hours.
