Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 22: The Purse Seine Fishermen's Association held its meeting here on Saturday March 20. At the meeting, the fishermen expressed their grievances and pointed out that 140 purse seine boats at Malpe port have not been working for the last four years, and as a result, over 5,000 families are facing distress.

They said that light fishing law is made applicable only in Malpe port whereas there is no such bar in Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra. General secretary of the association, Naveen Kotian, accused the people's representatives, officials and leaders of the association being in favour of capitalists.

He said that out of the said 140 boats, only ten are undertaking fishing. "The boats acquired by raising loan, have become useless. Fishing activity is continued to be conducted at Mangaluru. Purse seine fishing is allowed in Karwar and Goa. But Malpe, an all season port, we are barred from undertaking fishing, citing rules. We are facing injustice because of lack of political will, and exploitation by the organization. As the boats are at one place, the net and other assets of the boats are getting burned down," he cla med.

President of the organization, Nagaraja Suivarna, vice president Madhukar Suivarna, secretary Santhosh Salian, joint secretary Jayyasheela Ameen, honorary president Y Yashodhara Ameen and honorary advisor Gururajk Bangera and others were present.