Fishing by mechanised boats came to a halt here as fishermen went on a strike on Wednesday.
Compensation for fishermen, who suffered injuries while engaged in fishing, had not been given from the boat owners’ associations, C.Parthiban, president, Tuticorin Mechanised Boat Labourers’ Association, said.
He said that fishermen sent out to sea, risking their lives, to earn a livelihood and also generate income for boat owners. But non-cooperation among mechanised boat owners’ associations had stirred discontent among fishermen.
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While one association had consented to offer compensation for injured fishermen, the other two did not favour it. Over the last one year, 47 fishermen suffered accidental injuries but compensation was yet to be given, he said. Many a time, fishermen fell victim to accidents while dragging fish nets.
It also proved fatal for some, he said.
While fishermen were treated as equal partners with boat owners, it was unfortunate that compensation was not given properly to the injured fishermen, Mr. Parthiban said.
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S. Xavier Vas, president, Tuticorin Mechanised Boat Owners’ Association, said that the owners would hold talks with fishermen to end this issue soon.
As many as 247 mechanised boats remained anchored at Tuticorin fishing harbour.