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Mechanised boat owners hopeful of big catch on Day 1
The 7000-odd mechanised boats which ventured into the sea on Sunday after the 45-day state government stipulated ban are hopeful of returning with a good catch as fish species would have proliferated by this time.

Chennai
Fishing related industries like micro engineering unit operators, carpenters, ice plant owners, fish cart pullers and consumers all over Tamil Nadu heaved a sigh of relief when the boats set out for fishing. While consumers anticipate a fall in fish prices, the traders expect an increase in clientele which had dwindled greatly during the ban period. “Even if repair/maintenance work on boats is undertaken during the ban period, payment is assured only when fishing happens,” sources say.
Earlier the fisheries department officials branched out to all fishing jetties in the state to enumerate mechanised fishing boats to ensure their sea-worthiness. Only at the conclusion of the exercise fishermen are given permission to head to sea in addition to tokens for their daily diesel needs.
Though fishermen utilise the ban period to mend their nets and get ready for the next year’s fishing, those not well off or are in financial straits migrate to fishing harbours in Kerala and Karnataka to continue their occupation. Others switch over to country craft operated by neighbours and thus continue fishing. Those who do not want to leave their families go for local construction work.
During the ban last year, 1.67 lakh fishermen families in Tamil Nadu were given Rs 2000 each at an estimated Rs 33 crore by the state government which also supplied 1,250 kilolitres sales tax-free, industrial kerosene to country craft in Toothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts (with an outlay of Rs 80.41 crore). Mechanised vessels registered with the fisheries department and insured are annually supplied 15,000 litres sales taxfree diesel. Another 3,000 litres of diesel is released for traditional craft in the coastal districts. The outlay for both is Rs 51 crore.
Meanwhile, Rameswaram mechanised fishing vessels association president S Emeritt said, “The government should increase the amount given to fishermen to Rs 6000 as prices have risen steeply over the years.”
Sources said the ban should include country boats which used high HP motors without the knowledge of officials.
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