Fish prices to soar as Karnataka imposes two-month fishing ban

The annual ban on fishing by mechanised boats in coastal districts of Karnataka has been imposed from June 1 to facilitate fish breeding during the monsoon.

The 61-day ban, which came into effect with the government order issued under the Karnataka Coastal Fishing (Regulation) Act 2014 in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Uttar Kannada and Udupi, would be in force up to July 31, official sources said.

Mechanised boats mounted with engines above 10hp capacities would not be permitted to go fishing during the period, while conventional boats and boats with outboard engines up to 10hp capacities could be used.

Fish supply to the district during this period will come from the east coast, especially Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

As transportation costs are now high, the fish becomes costlier during the ban, Trawl Boat Fishermen's Association President Nithin Kumar said.

During the ban, fishermen go for traditional methods of fishing, using country craft, to five nautical miles into the sea or to the inland water bodies like rivers and lakes and catch fish in a traditional way to earn their livelihood.

Close to 2,000 fishing boats in Mangaluru anchor on the shore during this period for repairing and prepare for the next fishing season.