Fishermen welcomed the lifting of a 47-day ban on fishing trawlers, as they prepared to venture into sea. The ban ended on Wednesday at midnight, and was in effect to facilitate the natural breeding of the common pelagic fish in the region.
Purushan, a fisherman at Vypin harbour of Kochi said that the sea still appeared to be rough but they were hopeful of a good catch amidst the appreciation of diesel prices.
"This time with a very heavy monsoon and a rough sea, some are doubtful of a good catch but hope to get a good business. But with the diesel prices skyrocketing it is very tough for poor people to meet their daily expenses," said Purushan.
Yesterday, oil companies had hiked diesel prices by 50 paise per litre and petrol prices by 70 paise per litre.
This is the seventh hike in diesel prices since January this year.
According to India's premier Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, there are 3,878 mechanised boats in the state and the majority of them are in Central Kerala and Southern districts of the state.
