Fishermen told not to cast their nets yet

Fishermen told not to cast their nets yet
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 2
Even as the 45-days fishing ban ended on July 31, fishermen are being issued warning against fishing for the next 24 hours. The fisheries department has issued ‘standing instructions’ to all fishermen not to venture into the sea if the weather condition is rough.
Director of Fisheries S C Verenkar said that the seven jetties across the State are being issued alerts to convey its fishermen to avoid fishing temporarily.
The weather department at Altinho has also warned of adverse weather and strong sea currents, hence, advised against fishing for the next 24 hours (August 2 to 3).
“Due to westerly winds, the sea condition will be rough. An alert warning has also been issued because the rough weather will be accompanied with moderate to rather heavy rainfall,” Metrologist K V Singh said.
The fisheries department has been transmitting messages including weather updates to all jetties at regular intervals.
Yet another hassle currently faced by the department is the reduction in fish catch. The booming catch of 84,000 tones fish in 2008-09, decreased to 80,000 in 2009-10.
Verenkar explains, “Apart from other trivial factors, cyclone Phyan played spoilsport bringing fishing to a standstill for one-month in November 2009.”
Though the storm did not create havoc on the Goan coast, it claimed lives of many fishermen who had ventured into the sea despite issuing an alert. They were either missing or lost their lives. Some were rescued by marine police, Coast Guards, navy and others.
The department nonetheless expects a good catch this season. About 30 to 35 trucks of fish, that is, about 350 tones of fish were imported daily to local jetties during the ban period, Deputy Director Nandkishore Verlekar informed.
Since the ban is not uniform throughout the coastal boundaries of India, the eastern states observed it from April 15 to May 31 while the western coasts are prohibited fishing between June 15 and July 31 annually.
The ban is applied to all mechanized boats and canoes fitted with more than 10hp motors. There are around 900 motorized canoes registered in the State. Of the 1,150 registered trawlers, around 875 are in operation. Fishing is yet to pick up a quick pace, provided the climate is favourable in the coming days.