Karwar: The problems faced by fishermen of the region could be the topic of debate during the upcoming assembly elections.
On one side, traditional fishermen, and on the other side, the moneyed traders, practicing LED light fishing and bull trolls. Amidst this, tourism development, second stage expansion of port are subjects, across the district.
Local and traditional fishermen pin hopes that their demands are addressed and are able to rise out of the problems dogging them.
According to fishermen leader Vinayak Harikanthra the fishermen community are more concerned with the party that will fulfill their demands and are ready to resolve their problems.
He said, many people of Goa, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are practicing fishing in the district. People with money have purchased boats costing minimum Rs 50 to 60 lakh.
With this, traditional fishermen are affected. Due to LED light fishing, fishing activity has ground to a halt in March itself. Hence, fishermen are awaiting the right candidate, who will look to address the problems being faced by them, he added.
He said, people investing lakhs of money are engaged in fishing day and night. However, the traditional fishermen are unaware about timings, when they can net a sizeable catch. Hence, they always spend time in casting their net hoping for good result, he lamented.
There are hundreds of families surrounding Baithkhol fishing harbour. But they are deprived of drinking water. With the onset of summer, they are forced to drink saline water.
Despite several memoranda, people are getting facilities of sanitation and bath rooms. Along with this, people need a leader, ready to solve all their problems. They hope false promises made during last assembly elections are not repeated this time, he added.
Concurring fishermen leader K T Tandel said, tourism in the district would have been developed, if tourism department had given priority for natural fishing. But, instead, it is making efforts to exhibit the life of fishermen through construction of Rock Garden, which is not needed, he added.
He said livelihood of fishermen and tourism development should go hand in hand for the overall development of the district.
He said, people of coastal region are suffering several problems in the name of development since several years. Injustices have been made after imposing rules of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). Apart from this, government is trying to implement Coastal Management Zone (CMZ). Before announcement of Model Code of Conduct, memoranda have been submitted to deputy commissioner, MLA and chief minister, urging them not to implement CMZ, he added.
He said, already a ditch has been dug claiming construction of wave barriers near idol of lord Anjaneya in Shilpa Vana. With this, fishermen cannot anchor their boats during rainy season near the garden.
Considering these issues, people have become wiser to sift the fake leaders making false promises and hope to elect responsible person, ready to solve their problems, he added.