After the Gujarat government recently informed the assembly that registrations of 3,434 fishing boats had been cancelled in 2022-23, an association of fishermen said that more than 5,000 boats are lying idle along the coastline because fishermen have not been getting adequate remuneration for their catch.
The government said that registrations of over 3,000 fishing boats were cancelled as the fishermen failed to ensure physical verification of the boats. Fishermen receive subsidies on diesel, fishing nets and other items if they are registered with the fisheries department.
“All along the coastline, from Kutch to Valsad, there must be at least 5,000 boats that have not ventured into the sea after the pandemic. Fishermen are not getting adequate money for their catch,” said Veljibhai Masani, president, All India Fishermen Association. “The value of wood of the boats that are lying unused will not be more than Rs 5 lakh,” he added.
Boat capsizes, 4 fishermen missing in seaFour fishermen are missing after their fishing boat capsized off the Munambam coast. Three of the seven people on board were rescued, and a joint search operation by the Coast Guard, coastal police, and fisheries authorities is underway to find the missing individuals. The boat, named Nanma, capsized while returning from a fishing trip.
Bodies of two fishermen recoveredTwo bodies of the four missing fishermen who were on a capsized boat off the Munambam coast in Kochi have been recovered. The bodies were identified as Kollamparambil Sharath and Cheppalath Mohanan. The search operation is still ongoing to locate the other two missing fishermen. The boat capsized on Thursday evening, and three fishermen were rescued by another boat. The Coast Guard, coastal police, and fisheries authorities are involved in the search operation.
Efforts on to find 4 missing fishermenA search operation to find four missing fishermen in Kochi was unsuccessful. The fishing boat Nanma capsized and sank off the Munambam coast, with three fishermen being rescued. The missing individuals have been identified as natives of Chappa beach in Malippuram and Pallithodu in Alappuzha. The search, conducted by the Coast Guard, marine enforcement squad, coastal police, fisheries department, and fishing boats, was hindered by adverse weather conditions. The search is set to resume on Saturday. The incident highlights the dangers faced by fishermen and the importance of safety measures.