Mangalore : A majority of fishing boats have been anchored in the Malpe harbour following the hike in diesel rates.

Nearly 300 fishing boats have not ventured into the sea since the hike in the diesel price and the fishing scenario has turned gloomy at Malpe harbour. The rise in diesel price has resulted in a hike of Rs 10 per litre in consumer bunks and 47 paisa in retail bunks at fisheries harbour. The diesel bunks in fisheries harbour are run by cooperative societies.

Generally, the fishing boats had no problems to fulfill their diesel needs and the owners of the boats had recognised themselves as permanent customers either with consumer bunks or retail bunks. However, the increase in rates have resulted in most of the fishing boats stopping their fishing activities.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Malpe Fisheries Association President Heeriyanna Keediyur said that fishermen who are the customers of consumer bunks are at problem as they are not entertained by the retail bunks.

Retail bunks at the harbour have their own permanent customers and most of the times they run short of diesel to supply to their permanent customers. Therefore, how can one expect retail diesel bunks to supply diesel to other fishing boats who are not their customers, he questioned.

Earlier, the price of diesel in both consumer and retail bunks were same. The variations in the price have proved costly to the fishermen.

Keediyur said that the hike in diesel in consumer bunks is not feasible in terms of business. Any fishing boat will not be able to gain profit by purchasing the fuel by paying additional Rs 10 per litre. “We do not get sufficient fish catch to match up with the investment and the loss incurred by paying extra price for diesel,” he added.

Added to that the consumer diesel bunks at harbour are not supplied with sufficient amount of diesel. Keediyur demanded that the government should withdraw the decision over differential price and should announce similar price for both retail bunks and consumer bunks to help out the fishermen, he said.

He said that a delegation of fishermen met Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily in Delhi recently and submitted a memorandum urging the government to consider their request.

The traditional loyalty is also another feature that has made the fishing boat owners not to go into the retail bunks. There is uncertainty prevailing over the prospects of these fishing boats venturing into the business.

The government should take decision at the earliest to help out the fishermen, so that the fishing trade gets back into its usual shape.-DH News