Fishermen want bigger harbour

The Karnataka Fishermen's Action Committee, as per the directions of the chief minister N Dharam Singh has visited all the planned fishing centres in the state and would present the master plan to him shortly.

One of the suggestions is to construct the third stage of the fishing harbour at the Old Port (Bunder), Mangalore.

The committee has convened a meeting of all fishermen leaders of the area, department of fisheries, department of ports, among other things.

The committee has suggested extension of the existing jetty of the fishing harbour up to Hoige Bazar and create facilities such as gear mending shed, workshop for repair of vessels and provision for boat building, deputy director of fisheries, Suresh Kumar Ullal said.

"If agreed by the government and if it is technically feasible, then it would be taken up. The construction of the third stage may cost up to Rs 5 crore," he told Business Standard.

Presently, the fishing harbour comprises of around 500 metres jetty for fishing vessels.