Karwar: Congress Fishermen Committee State unit President U R Sabhapati has urged the Centre to implement a national fishery policy.

Briefing reporters, in Karwar, on Saturday, he said, fishermen of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa are in dispute over fishery issues, as coastal states have their own fishing policies. Hence, the Centre should take measures to sort out the problems in this regard, he said.

Meanwhile, International Fishermen Day, which will be celebrated on November 21, will see State level fishermen convention held in Manki, in Kumta taluk, to mark the celebration of Fishermen Day, All India Congress Committee Vice-president Rahul Gandhi would take part in the convention.

More than one lakh fishermen from Mangaluru, Udupi and North Kannada districts are expected to take part in the convention.

All states have separate fisheries departments. However, in the Union cabinet at Centre, fisheries department was merged with agriculture department. This has resulted in fishermen facing problems. Hence, the Centre should set up a separate ministry.

As the Centre rejected recommendations of State government of including fishermen community in ST list, recommendation will be again sent to Centre asking to review its stance in this regard. He asked the government not to impose tax on diesel, which is being used in fishing boats, and asked to waive off fishermen loans. Committee vice-president Ram M Moger, Office bearers Vishnu Harikantra, Raju N Ugranakar, Chandrakanth Kharvi Mohini were present.