Saurashtra fishermen threaten agitation

Various fishing associations in the Saurashtra region have threatened to resort to an agitation if the state government did not resolve their long-pending issues.

The Akhil Gujarat Machhimar Mahamandal (AGMM), the Porbandar Kharva samaj and the Porbandar Boats Association had jointly submitted a memorandum to the chief minister Narendra Modi, listing the problems faced by the industry.

Jivanbhai Jungi, president of the AGMM, said the increase in diesel prices has affected the industry.

Detention of Indian fishermen by the Pakistani marine security agencies and some provisions in the newly introduced Fisheries Act are also adding to the industry's woes, he said.

He said the industry is an important foreign currency earner and every fishing boat provides the means of livelihood to at least 100 people.

The government should treat fishing at par with the agriculture sector though the risk factor is very high in fishing compared to agriculture, he said.

More than 12,000 fishing boats in the area use 1.68 crore litres of diesel a week and an increase of Rs 2 per liter of diesel will add a burden of Rs 3.36 crore on the boats.

Jungi said, "our demand for providing basic facilities at the Porbandar harbour has also not been fulfilled by the government. The fishing jetty at Porbandar does not have any equipment to fight fire."

He said for the last few years, the fish availability is shrinking. Fishermen are compelled to do deep sea fishing which requires more fuel.