THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fishing boats will start operation from Friday after mechanised boat operators suspended their eight-day strike following talks with the government on Thursday. The government assured that their demands will be considered at a meeting held here on Thursday.
The representatives of All-Kerala Fishing Boat Operators’ Association (AKFBOA) discussed their issues with Chief Secretary Paul Antony, Fisheries Secretary James Varghese and Director S Venkatesapathy.
The meeting was held in the absence of Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma who is recuperating from a brief illness.
“We have decided to suspend our strike till the minister resumes office and takes a favourable decision,” said AKFBOA state president Peter Mathias.
Earlier, the boat operators and workers held a protest march and dharna at the Secretariat demanding the government to approve a charter of seven demands.
The demands include reduction of fuel price, the introduction of fuel subsidy, relaxing penal provision in Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act and in catching juvenile fish, compensation for cyclone Ockhi victims etc.
Mathias said the boat operators were not supported by the state though they contribute `6,000 crore of the total marine export industry worth Rs 37,500 crore.
“We sought an exemption from road cess on diesel as we do not use roads. Similarly, we want the government to provide fuel subsidies on the lines of Karnataka government,” he said.
Boat operators said the practice of auctioning the catch whenever the boat is taken into custody by officers of the Fisheries department should be discontinued.
“The government should stop considering levying fine as a form of revenue generation. The officers harass us and snatch away our catch,” said Mathias.
Fish prices stay constant despite stir
Kochi: Its paralysing effect on the fishing sector notwithstanding, the eight-day strike by mechanised boat owners did not affect the common man as fish prices did not see a major increase. While there was shortage of popular fish varieties like Threadfin bream, grouper and ribbon fish in the market, the arrival of fish from other states compensated for the scarcity. “After the mechanised boat owners launched the strike, there was scarcity of marine fish varieties in the market. But prices did not go up as there was a drop in consumption due to Easter lent. We received fish from Goa, Mangaluru and Thoothukudi and so, the strike did not adversely affect the market,” said Shinas, a fish vendor in Kochi.
Fish prices (per kg)
Seer fish I540
Mackerel I160-180
Sardine I80-120
Prawns I380
Stingray I200
Tilapia I180
Barracuda I300
Tuna I280