Two-Month Annual Fishing Ban To Come Into Force From Tonight

Machilipatnam: The next two months for the fishermen along the Machilipatnam coast will be a hard one as the annual 61-day fishing ban comes into force in the Bay of Bengal from April 14 midnight. The ban stops their regular source of income for two months.

Over 25,000 fishermen live along the coast and operate over 1,400 boats, including mechanised ones.

In the Diviseema region, at least 750 boats will have to be anchored forcing hundreds of people of the coastal community into unemployment.

Only 69 motorised boats will be allowed for fishing as these boats confine to shallow waters and do not disturb the breeding of the marine species.

The State Fisheries Department is working to include the affected families under a financial package. The enumeration is likely to be concluded by April 19.

Each worker affected by the fishing ban is entitled to get Rs 4,000 in cash as compensation for the ban.

However, according to a senior official speaking to a leading daily granting the package is likely to be delayed due to elections and allocation of budget. The package could be released by the new government which will be formed in May.

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