No monsoon cheers for traditional fishermen The copious rains the State has been receiving may have brought cheer to many, including farmers, but traditional fishermen along the Karnataka coast have been hit badly as they could not venture into the sea even for a day during the fishing holiday for large boats. The sea had been rough even before the start of monsoon and its condition continues to be the same following gusty winds. “This was the time when we would’ve harvested the year’s crop. We normally start venturing into the sea from June 22 at the beginning of Aaridra spell of rains. With lesser availability of fish in the market following fishing holiday for large vessels, traditional fishermen used to get good prices,” said Sridhar Kharvi, a traditional fisherman from Maravanthe village in Udupi district. Mr. Kharvi told The Hindu that once mechanised boats venture into the sea after the fishing holiday, from August 1, traditional fishermen would not have the bargaining power to sell their catch following abundant availability in the market. Given the present sea condition, traditional fishermen may not be able to enter the sea for another fortnight, he rued. Shobendra Sasihithlu, president of Sasihithlu Meenugarara Sahakara Sangha in Dakshina Kannada district, said traditional fishermen could not venture into the sea even for a day during the fishing holiday for large vessels as against the normal practice of about a fortnight’s fishing. There are 4,438 mechanised vessels, 8,454 motorised boats (fitted with outboard engine) and another 8,999 conventional boats (paathi doni) across the three coastal districts. Except mechanised vessels, other categories of boats were permitted to enter the Sea during the holiday, he said. Mr. Sasihithlu said while diesel subsidy of the government goes to handful of 5% fishermen who own mechanised vessels, 95% of the remaining lot are deprived of any facility.