KOLLAM/KOZHIKKODE: The boats and nets are ready at fishing harbours across the State as the 47-day trawling ban comes to an end at Friday midnight. The fishermen are hopeful of getting a good catch of fish varieties of threadfin bream and squid which are plenty during July to September.
Meanwhile, the boat operators are worried about the expenses incurred in painting their boats in blue and orange as per security norms.
“A good catch of threadfin bream would fetch them up to Rs 10,000 for a box while traditional vessels would struggle as they cannot fish in the outer sea. But the painting expense along with advance payments to be given to the workers has in turn burdened the boat owners,” M.S. James, boat operators association state president told DC.
The boats were given directions to paint in bright orange and blue for identification purposes. It takes up to five days for a boat to get painted and the boatyards are also comparatively less in number.
However, a relaxation of six months has been given to the boats to get the new look. The ice plants, which work hand in hand with other amenities of fishing, have also started operation since a few days.
Over 200 to 300 blocks of ice are required by each boat that goes out for fishing in the deep sea. 20 such blocks add up to a tonne.
Over 1500 boats at the Neendakara and Sakthikulangara fishing harbours will go out to sea after the iron chain at the Neendakara Bridge is untied in the presence of the district administration and fisheries authorities denoting the end of the trawling ban.
Nearly 112 Kerala-registered trawl-fitted mechanised fishing boats and others from Tamil Nadu and Karnakaka will rush to the sea from various harbours in Kozhikkode.
According to P. Pradeepan from Puthiyappa Harbour in Kozhikkode, the trawling period had been a time of scarcity as always and the fishermen repeatedly pleaded with the State Government to take action to grant more concessions during this long period of ban, but it had been in vain.
