Thousands of families in Krishna district engaged in fishing activity have begun migrating in search of alternative means of livelihood as the 45-day fishing ban on the east coast came into force from the midnight of April 14.
According to the Department of Fisheries, over 750 country-made boats as well as 95 mechanised boats have been anchored at the Machilipatnam Fishing Harbour, literally putting an end to regular fishing activity in the Bay of Bengal. The ban will be lifted on May 31. Over 6,000 fishermen including crew members who operate the boats are ‘jobless’ owing to the marine fish-conservation initiative taken by the fisheries authorities.
“The best we can do is promise the release of 30 kg rice a month to each family engaged in fishing and affected by the ban,” Fisheries Department Deputy Director T. Kalyanam told The Hindu .
