Udupi: A large number of fishermen gathered at the DC Office demanding the release of kerosene to the traditional fishing crafts here, on Monday.

Forwarding the memorandum to the deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, Naveenchandra from Kundapur Taluk Traditional Fishermen Association said although the state government has assured kerosene at a subsidised rate for the traditional fishing boats, it was not released for the past three months- from December to February.

Kerosene was earlier offered through PDS shops or fisheries cooperatives and it was offered to the fishermen till November. He added that for the few months until the fishing ban is imposed, the traditional fishermen require kerosene to run the business. However the facility sits stuck at the Food Corporation, he alleged.

He added that the fishermen are suffering as they could not afford to carry out the business in the last three months. The kerosene offered at a subsidised price is essential for the survival of the livelihood of the fishermen.

There are 4,514 country boats in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts and consume at least 1,355 kilolitres of kerosene every month.

He alleged that owing to other factors, the fishing business for the craft of traditional fishermen is poor. He added that the state government should issue a banning order against the purse seine boats for using lights while fishing, which harms the breeds, and against the bull trawl fishing as well, he demanded.

Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary was present on the occasion.