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Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam, Nov. 2 The proposal of shifting the fishing harbour from here to Bhimli, 25 km away, has come under criticism from the fishermen, trawler owners and the industry.

Dr Y.G.K. Murthy, the president of the Association of Indian Fisheries, and Mr P.C. Appa Rao, the president of AP Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners’ Welfare Association, said in a press release here that the long-pending proposal was being expedited of late to shift the fishing harbour from here to Bhimli.

“We understand that the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has already acquired 174 acres at Moola Kuddu village near Bhimli for the purpose. We strongly oppose the move,” said the release.

They said the Bhmili site was not suitable for constructing the fishing harbour as “the area gets silted by the Gosthani river. Dredging throughout the year is required to keep the harbour functional.”

They said the site had been chosen without consulting experts and the “VPT is simply trying to shift the present harbour and make use of the site commercially.”

The present harbour has all facilities and even though the site belonged to the VPT, the Union Ministry of Agriculture had spent a lot on developing the harbour.

They said the draft at the site at Bhimli would not be sufficient even for mechanised boats.

“The same story as Bhavanapadu in Srikakulam district would be repeated here. That harbour was built in a similar manner and was found to be useless.”

They voiced apprehensions that traditional fishermen and mechanised boat operators would be left with no fishing harbour between Paradip in Orissa and Kakinada if the shifting was implemented. They wanted the proposal dropped.

The officials also opposed the proposal to allow ship-breaking off Vizag coast. Ship-breaking would ruin fisheries, causing widespread coastal pollution and affect the livelihood of fishermen, they said.

A similar attempt was made at Kakinada a few years ago, but the proposal had to be dropped due to opposition from fishermen. Fishermen and the mechanised boat owners here also would resort to agitation, if the State Government allowed it, they warned.

Mr D. Ganga Raju, the Vice-President of the Visakhapatnam Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association, also echoed the views of Dr Murthy and Mr Rao.

More Stories on : Aquaculture | Andhra Pradesh

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