Boats anchored at Old Port in Mangaluru on Monday.
Rajesh Puthran, president of DK Trawl Boat Union, said around 30% of boats did not venture out on Monday. In the fishing sector, after deducting expenses such as ice, diesel, rations and daily costs from the value of the catch, 25% is distributed among workers.
Boats are being purchased from Malpe, Gangolli and Honnavar and brought to Mangaluru, while new boats are also being built, he said. The shortage has affected fishing operations for about a week. Boat owners are finding it difficult to pay workers regularly. The increase in the number of boats has raised diesel demand.
She said 2 lakh KL of sales-tax-exempt diesel is allotted annually to coastal fishermen, with Mangaluru receiving 40,000 KL for the first five months. Hence, the 40,000 KL allocated as the first instalment has been exhausted,” she said. She said around 24-26 boats had come to Mangaluru from other ports, including Malpe and Karwar, while around 49 new boats had been built.
Officials are examining whether the quota meant for the next five months can be released in advance.
The govt should have assessed the increase in demand before allocating the diesel quota, according to Puthran. The next five-month quota is expected in November, he said. Faisal, general secretary of DK Trawl Boat Union, said the five diesel bunks in Mangaluru could jointly work out a solution, as fishermen face difficulties transferring their diesel entitlement when the quota at their designated pump is exhausted. Boats can obtain diesel from other pumps, but each has limited stocks and separate passbook arrangements, he said. Faisal said delays in obtaining diesel could stretch to six or seven days, forcing boat owners to wait while continuing to pay workers. Darshan KT, joint director, Fisheries Department, Dakshina Kannada, said the department submitted a proposal last month seeking an additional quota from the govt and expected a decision by Monday evening.
He suggested releasing part of the next five-month quota early or diverting surplus quota from Malpe, Honnavar or Gangolli. “Fishing is going well. Boats from other ports have arrived and new boats have been added.