Fishermen venturing out into the sea on traditional craft will soon get floatation devices. Minister for Fisheries K. A. Jayapal, who announced this during the demands for the Fisheries Department in the Assembly on Tuesday, said that a sum of Rs.2.50 crore had been set aside for purchasing 10,000 such devices.
The government would also supply distress alert transmitters to mechanised boats and mechanised catamarans at 90 per cent subsidy. In the first phase, a total of 1,600 boats would get the transmitters at a cost of Rs. 2.60 crore in 2015-16. “These are especially necessary in situations where fishermen are unable to communicate with the shore,” Mr. Jayapal said. There are a total of 5,735 deep sea vessels, 27,899 mechanised catamarans and boats and 5,154 catamarans in the State. Fishermen using catamarans are exposed to the danger of being hit by the vessels. In such situations the floatation devices would come in handy, said a fisherman. The Minister also announced that inland fishermen will now get a 50 per cent subsidy to purchase fibre reinforced plastic coracles used in fishing in lakes and tanks. A total of Rs. 1.60 crore has been allocated for this purpose. CPI (M) member Nagai Mari sought compensation for fishermen, whose boats have been seized by the Sri Lankan Navy and cannot be repaired.
Source : The Hindu
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