In Bengaluru, a meeting chaired by Fisheries Minister Dr. Mankal S Vaidya focused on the challenges and demands of coastal fishermen in Karnataka. Led by Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, the Karnataka Coastal Fishermen’s Action Committee presented several requests to the minister.
Key demands included infrastructure development at fishing ports statewide and amendments to the 1984 Fisheries Act regulations. The committee stressed the role of local fishermen associations in port management and requested increases in daily diesel quotas, interest-free loans for women fishermen, and concessional leasing of fish drying facilities.
Discussions also centered on simplifying rules for fishing boat insurance, life insurance for fishermen, and urgent issues like compensation approval and port development projects such as the Malpe fishing port’s outer harbour and dredging initiatives.