The ongoing ban being enforced as part of annual conservation period has prevented boat operators from Andhra Pradesh from going to Paradip, Gopalpur and other areas in Odisha, where the impact of extremely severe cyclone Fani is likely to be devastating.
The ban, which came into force for 61 days from the midnight of April 14, is applicable to all motorised boats. Depleting catch off Kakinada and Bhavanapadu coasts force fishermen from Visakhapatnam to head towards neighbouring Odisha coast. Most fishermen settled in Odisha coast incidentally hail from Andhra Pradesh.
“Thankfully, we are not busy with deputing special teams, contacting Paradip and Gopalpur port, naval and Coast Guard officials to track down our boats and bringing them to the nearest harbour as we are observing the ban. However, our prayers are always there for our counterparts in Odisha to get saved from the aftermath of Fani,” Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association president Ch. Satyanarayana Murthy said on Wednesday.
Fishermen say more summer rains would be an beneficial to them due to entry of fresh water into the sea during the breeding season ensuring good harvest post-ban.
With sudden drop in temperature before the cyclone crosses Odisha coast on Friday afternoon, as per the prediction made by the Indian Meteorology Department, fishermen at the harbour here were seen tightening the ropes for the safe anchorage of their vessels when the sea would be rough at the time of cyclone making a landfall.
Traditional fishermen mostly indulge in daylong fishing in catamaran boats off the territorial waters. Some of them use 10x2HP motors to sail up to Kakinada to undertake three-day voyage. However, mechanised boat operators mostly prevent them for using motors in violation of the provisions of 4 (2) AP Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1994.
National Fisherfolk Forum general secretary Arjili Dasu said though the impact of the cyclone would not be much, due to warning issued by the fisheries officials, they had asked traditional fishermen not to venture into the sea.
