National fisheries policy urged

A national policy on fisheries and to protect the interests of fishermen should be framed and implemented according to D T Jayakumar, Karnataka minister for tourism.

Presiding over the national conference of fishermen organised by the National Fishermen's Forum and Coastal Karnataka Fishermen's Action Committee, here on Tuesday, he said a national action plan should also be chalked out which includes the demands of fishermen.

Land should be acquired at the Old Port for the activities of the Fisheries Federation for which the Centre and state governments have already sanctioned the funds, he said.

Loan facility with six per cent interest rates given to farmers should also be extended to fishermen. A sum of Rs 106 crore has been earmarked for the development of fisheries roads, he added.

Manorama Madhwaraj, Udupi MP, who inaugurated the conference felt all ports in Karnataka should be upgraded to all weather ports. Permanent measures to prevent sea erosion should be taken and a dredger acquired for the desilting of river mouths.

A memorandum has been submitted to Union minister of statistics and programme implementation, overseas Indian affairs and youth affairs and sports Oscar Fernandes in this connection, she said.

She also said that a request would be made to Mangalore MP D V Sadananda Gowda and Janardhan Poojary, Rajya Sabha MP, to provide a rest room for fisherwomen at the Old Port.

Yogish Bhat, MLA, who was the chief guest announced a sum of Rs five lakh for providing a rest room for fisherwomen at the Old Port.