Fishermen in Karnataka will hold a convention at Kumta in Uttara Kannada on November 19 to press their demands including formulation of a national fishing policy, a senior state fishermens congress functionary has said. Talking to reporters here yesterday, state fishermens congress president U R Sabhapathy said an uniform national fishing policy was urgently required to avoid the existing disparities in policies adopted by different states. The community members should also have adequate representation in elected fisheries bodies, he added. At present, each state had its own fisheries policy which often resulted in friction among fishing communities because rules were different in states, he said. Sabhapathy also wanted the Centre to consider the possibility of setting up an exclusive cabinet post for fisheries in the Union cabinet. The fishing industry was being neglected as it was now functioning under the Agriculture Ministry, he said. The long-pending demand to include all fishing communities under scheduled caste category would be pushed forward, he said. He said the November 19 convention was to coincide with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis birth anniversary. Another convention of Congress workers would be held the same day at Chikkamagalur, he said, adding, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was expected to take part in both the meets. The Fishermens Congress would form block level committees in ten districts in the state, he said.