The impact of the cyclonic storm meant that fishermen in Karnataka's coast had to return to the nearest harbour at a time that is considered peak fishing season.
Malpe Fishing Harbour/ Photograph by Akshay Pai
The end of the monsoon season usually brings cheer for Shankar and his family, residents of Bengre, a coastal village in Karnataka's Udupi district. But this year, the onset of Cyclone Kyarr meant that fishermen like Shankar, 60, had to refrain from entering the sea in the past week. "The sea is too rough and we are unable to send boats for deep-sea fishing," says Shankar, pointing to a colorful line of boats jostling for limited space at the fishing harbour in Malpe. "These are boats which would naturally be in the sea at this time for 5-7 days but instead, we either have to go fishing in the river where the catch is not very high or find other jobs." The cyclonic storm Kyarr was centered in the Arabian Sea for much of last week but its impact in Karnataka was highest in the state's three coastal districts - Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. The rains began as early as October 18 and continued till October 27 forcing fishermen to abandon fishing and return to the nearest harbour. Most of the boats which returned are still docked at the harbour as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) continued to advise fishermen against venturing into the sea. The IMD forecasted fresh rains in Udupi from October 31 . "This (break in deep-sea fishing) represents a loss of anywhere between Rs 8 to Rs 15 lakh per boat because the fishermen have missed at least one fish landing," explains Yathish Baikampady, a former President of the Moguveera Vyavastapaka Mandali, an organisation working for the welfare of fishermen in the coastal districts. Fish landings are catches of marine fish landed in a domestic port. According to Yathish, almost all fishing boats in the three major ports - Mangaluru, Malpe and Karwar - in the three coastal districts have returned to the nearest fishing harbour. In Udupi district alone, around 2,000 boats are registered as deep-sea fishing boats in the Arabian Sea. All of them returned to the harbour after the IMD initially warned fishing boats against venturing into the sea on October 20. Some fishermen registered in Udupi were fishing off the coast of Karwar and Goa when they were forced to return to the harbour nearest to them. Fishing harbour in Malpe The rains reduced in Udupi on Monday and clear, sunny skies were reported across the district. Fishermen were keen to take advantage of sunny conditions and set out for deep-sea fishing. "These are forces beyond our control but if the boats are not at sea, then the earnings are reduced. This will be a burden on everyone connected to the fishing industry including the boatowners, crew workers and their families," adds Yathish. However, officials in the district issued fresh advisories to fishermen against venturing out into the sea. "We are urging fishermen not to venture out into the sea until the weather is clear for a few days since there is forecast of fresh rains on October 31," says Ganesh K, Deputy Director, Udupi Fisheries Department. Fishermen lamented the timing of the cyclone's impact in Karnataka. It comes just two months after heavy rains delayed the traditional resumption of deep-sea fishing activities in the coastal parts of the state. Fishermen in Karnataka's coastal districts are barred from venturing into the sea for two months of the year in June and July. The deep-sea fishing activities resume in earnest from the month of August and reach a peak in September, which is marked by 'Palke Booruni', a day on which the resumption of fishing activities is celebrated by fishermen. However, a spell of heavy rains in Karnataka at the start of August caused floods and landslides in coastal, Malnad and northern parts of the state. The rains meant that the resumption of fishing activities were delayed till September. "Fishermen usually have multiple jobs since the fishing season does not go on for the whole year. So many fishermen are either doing agriculture, coolie work or business to bide their time while waiting for the weather to improve," Shankar adds.
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