Fishermen oppose TNFDC purchasing fish from exporters

In a letter to the principal secretary of the Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Department, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association (SIFWA) president K Bharathi said that the corporation has been purchasing fish for its fishing stalls and eateries in the city from the fish exporters, ignoring the traditional fishermen, as the officials would get other concessions from them.

“No traditional fishermen in Chennai were benefited by the corporation’s fish stall eateries. Considering this, the TNFDC should start purchasing the fish from the traditional fishermen,” he said.

The fishermen also pointed out that no steps were taken to notify the Nochikuppam fish market, which has been functioning for over 50 years as the heritage fish market. “Chief Minister and Fisheries Minister had announced the construction of a fish market at a cost of Rs 35 lakh in Nochikuppam. But the Greater Chennai corporation has not taken any steps to implement it. While applying for the Coastal Regulatory Zone clearance, the Corporation had failed to mention the existence of the fish market for over 50 years, and they declared that they had planned to construct a new market at the coastal area. Hence the application for the CRZ was rejected,” he said.

“The government schemes implemented by the Fisheries Department are being denied to the traditional fishermen due to the actions of the present Fisheries Department director. Hence, we request you to take action against the official,” he said.