Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 5: New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) had pulled the dredger, 'Bhagawati Prem' owned by Mercator Ltd that had developed snags and was facing danger, through its tug and parked it at the seashore near Guddekopla recently. Now, the department of ports and fisheries has served notice to NMPT seeking clarification.

Officials of the fisheries department inspected the spot on Monday, November 4. At that time, locals approached the officials demanding to clear the dredger from that spot as it has been creating bottlenecks for fishing activity.

The spot which the dredger currently occupies is the spot where fish get food, and also is the area which the fishes visit for breeding, the fishermen said, adding that their fishing activity has also been disturbed because of the dredger.

The fishermen handed over memorandum containing their demand to assistant forest conservator, Uttappa, and assistant director for fisheries, Mahesh Kumar. The fishermen's delegation had Sharat Guddekopla, Srikant, Giridhar Kotian, Keshav Kunder, Naresh, Sachchendra Gurikar and Shivaram Suratkal.

Assistant director in fisheries department, Mahesh Kumar, stated that they have issued a notice to NMPT seeking information why the dredger has been stationed here. He noted that diesel and oil of the tug have been taken out and there is no fear of oil slick. "However, as fishermen are facing the problem and there are complaints of the tug obstructing fish breeding and other activities, we have served the notice," he added.