Mangaluru’s fishing sector is experiencing a challenging season, with nearly 30-35% of trawl boats anchored at the Mangaluru Old Port due to a significant decline in fish catch. The fish production, which saw an increase from 2.3 lakh metric tonnes in 2020-21 to 3.3 lakh metric tonnes in 2022-23, has taken a hit, leaving boat owners reconsidering deep-sea expeditions.
Dilip Kumar, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Dakshina Kannada, pointed out that the current trend of diminished fish catch has persisted for the past 10-20 days. Unlike previous years, where fruitful catches were typical until the end of November, this year has seen a decline, prompting concerns among boat owners regarding the cost-effectiveness of fishing expeditions. The unintended pause in fishing activities during lockdown contributed to increased breeding, resulting in good catches in the preceding years. However, the impact of El Nino has led to a migration of fish shoals, further contributing to the decline.
A combination of factors, including excessive fishing, demand for trash fish by fish meal units, over-mechanization, unregulated mesh sizes, and various fishing practices, has led to a depletion in marine biodiversity. The economic aspect also plays a role, with trawlers requiring around Rs 6.5 lakh for a single voyage, necessitating substantial catches to cover costs.
Chethan Bengre, President of Mangalore Trawl Boat Meenugarara Sangha, emphasized the adverse impact of poor weather conditions, including inadequate rainfall, on the fishing situation this year. He called for a uniform fishing holiday across the Indian coast to address the challenges faced by the industry.
With approximately 1,400 deep-sea fishing boats in the district, the need for effective monitoring and regulation of fishing activities becomes crucial, especially considering the limitations due to the lack of department-owned vessels, unlike the setup in Kerala.
Source: The Times of India
