Met warnings leave fishers ‘at sea’ 79 out of 89 days

CHENNAI: Repeated warnings by the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, against venturing into sea have severely impacted the livelihood of fishermen in city for over two months. Fishermen claim this year saw the highest alerts, and from June 1 to August 28 (89 days), the RMC had issued warnings for 79 days against venturing into the sea in and around Tamil Nadu.

Previously, when the strong winds blew at a speed of over 80 kmph and a cyclone formed in the sea, a warning was directed to the State fisheries department. “Whereas now, even with 40 kmph to 50 kmph wind speed, which is considered normal, fishermen are warned and advisory issued almost everyday. Also, the southwest monsoon has made the situation worse this year,” said MD Dhayalan, president of the Indian Fisherman Association, Kasimedu fishing harbour.

With reports on fishermen going missing during unpredictable strong winds, the State fisheries department had initiated a token system for the fishermen in Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Rameshwaram, and recently in Chennai.

The fishermen should submit a form based on which the government will provide a token, with which alone they can fetch fuel from the bunk inside the harbour. “When we are instructed not to go boating, the department will not issue the token. Thus we are forced to stay on the shore till the warning is withdrawn,” said M Rajan, a fisherman at Kasimedu.

Despite warning, if fishermen venture into sea they stand to lose their licence. Pointing out that only on June 15, the two-month trawling ban came to an end, the fishermen are demanding that they be compensated for losing livelihood for reasons beyond their control.

Commenting on the frequent warnings by the weather department, P Senthamarai Kannan, scientist, RMC explained that when there is a strong wind we issue advisory so that fishermen can be on alert. “Also, during a low-pressure area formation, depression and cyclone, we issue warnings where they should not go. Due to the southwest monsoon and sudden weather change, the warning is instructed frequently these days,” he said.