Mangaluru: The Karnataka Purse Seine Fishermen’s Association and the Mangaluru Trawl Boat Fishermen’s Association have submitted an appeal to the state govt to expedite and complete the ongoing three-phase jetty work at the Mangaluru fishing harbour to resolve the hardship faced by fishermen.Addressing a joint news conference on Wednesday, the association leaders stated that following their years-long demand, govt sanctioned a grant of Rs 37.5 crore for the first and second phase jetty, and Rs 49.5 crore for the third-phase work. However, while the development works are under way, the pace has slowed down considerably.Mangaluru Trawl Boat Fishermen’s Association president Rajesh Puthran said that the sluggish pace of the work is causing daily struggles for fishermen. It is also adversely affecting fishing activities and the daily operations of the port, he added.Fishermen leader Chethan Bengre highlighted that due to the severe lack of space for fishing activities of the current fleet operating in the harbour, a jetty measuring about 800m to 1,000m in length is essential. He also stressed the need to develop the 250m stretch of Nethravati riverbank into a fishing harbour.Since wholesale and commission-based fish trading takes place inside the port, the daily influx of over 200 vehicles from other states is causing severe traffic congestion. To reduce this crowding at the existing harbour, the leaders suggested relocating this market to a three acre plot belonging to College of Fisheries, Ekkur, in the city. They expressed that the chief minister’s announcement regarding this in the cabinet meeting, along with the introduction of several other schemes for fisheries, has raised hopes for development among the fishing community.Purse Seine Fishermen Association former president Mohan Bengre was present.
