State orders 381 deep sea fishing boats

As per the project, the diversification is scheduled to take place in a phased manner over the next three years. As many as 500 deep sea Tuna long-liner cum gill net boats would be constructed in 2018. 

An equivalent number of vessels would be constructed in 2019 and 1,000 more by 2020. Sources asserted that around 500 applications have been received from fishermen and vessel construction orders have been issued to 381 of those. 

“The construction process is underway at a ship building yard in Cochin and the delivery of the vessels shall begin soon,” the sources added. Explaining the pattern of funding for a boat worth Rs 80 lakh, a senior fisheries official said that the Centre provides 50 per cent (Rs 40 lakh) of the cost while the state government provides 20 per cent (16 lakh) as subsidy. 

The beneficiaries would also be assisted in raising another 20 per cent of the cost through institutional finance following their contribution of the remaining 10 per cent. As per the blueprint released by the Ministry of Shipping, the boat goes by the names ‘Tuna Long Liner cum Gillnetter’. 

Made of steel, the vessels will have an engine capacity of 200 horse power and will be 22 metres long, 6.5 metres broad and 3 metres deep. The scheme is one among the key shifts the state is looking for as a long-term measure to improve the marine economy of Palk Bay fishermen. 

It also envisages to end trawling and ensure safety of fishermen who would move out of their traditional waters to fish in Bay of Bengal, further away from the ambit of Sri Lankan navy. 

Statistics which DTNext had access to reveal as many as 2,569 fishermen were arrested mid-sea by Lankan Navy since 2013 until February 20 this year. While 93 incidents classified into three broad categories – attack, intimidation and murder by Lankan Navy and Lankan fishermen had been reported in that period. In the lone murder reported, the deceased was identified as Bridgo from Rameswaram who was fishing near the Katchatheevu islet when he was fired upon on March 7, 2017. 

Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar who termed the scheme as a boon for fishermen said the scheme is a part of Prime Minister’s Blue Revolution project aimed at improving the livelihood of Palk Bay fishermen. 

“The project is heavily subsidised and the fishermen will have to shell out about Rs 8 lakh for a boat worth Rs 80 lakhs. It will definitely help the fishermen. We are awaiting delivery of the ships from the Cochin Ship Building Yard,” Jayakumar said.