Addressing the World Fisheries Day celebrations at Mangalore Wharf on Wednesday, Mr Madhwaraj said that the segregation of two allied ministries has created lack of co-ordination and hence the problems that have been haunting fisheries and port are left unsolved till date.
He said that the major problem which needs to be tackled immediately is dredging. In this regard, he said that the JD(S)-BJP coalition government had released a sum of Rs 5 crores for the same but the estimation prepared came up to Rs 10 crores. In such a situation, PWD secretary clearly directed that the works of Rs 5 crores can only be taken up. Accordingly, in the I phase, dredging of Mangalore and Malpe at a cost of Rs 4 crores will be taken up, while dredging works at Gangolli and Hejamadi Kodi will be done when the remaining funds are released.
The sources say that the dredging works will be started by December 1, but Mr Madhwaraj expressed his doubts over the works taking off so soon and on its completion as the technical and financial bid for the proposal is still pending.
Samiti Honourary Principal Secretary Vasudeva Boloor delivering the keynote address said that though November 21 is celebrated as World Fisheries Day, the Samiti will celebrate it as a day of protest by demanding the Government to fulfil the problems pertaining fishermen.
Mr Boloor informed that Ministry of Environment and Forests is organising a meeting with the NGOs and fishermen at Mumbai on November 23 to discuss the concept note for replacing Coastal Regulation Zone notification of 1991 to new Coastal Management Zone notification. He said that CMZ will be devastating for local fishermen as it will displace fishermen.
He said that the meeting to be convened does not include any concerned delegates or fisheries representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Gujrath and of those who have been invited from other states are from sectors distantly connected to fisheries. Samiti Working President Lokanath Boloor, Mangalore Trawl Boat Association President Seetharam Suvarna, Karnataka Purse Seine Boat Association President Kamalaksha Amin and others were present.
