Kendrapada: Marine fishermen in Odisha resumed fishing operations on Friday after ending their 18-day strike, following an assurance from public sector oil companies that adequate diesel would be supplied to them to operate their vessels.The strike began on June 15 after the Centre on June 12 imposed a temporary cap of 200 litres of diesel per day at PSU fuel stations and barred bulk buyers from purchasing fuel from retail outlets to curb diversion, black marketing and misuse of subsidised diesel.Protesting the move, the Odisha Marine Fish Producers Association announced an indefinite boycott of marine fishing operations from June 15, even though the two months long annual fishing ban along the Odisha coast ended on June 14.“A deep-sea fishing vessel consumes several thousand litres of diesel during a single voyage. It was impossible for us to venture into the sea with only 200 litres of diesel. Therefore, we suspended fishing operations from June 15 despite the lifting of the two-month fishing ban. Around 80% of fishing vessels entered the sea on Friday,” said Srikant Parida, president of OMFPA, at Paradip.According to the fisheries department, around 20,000 fishing vessels, including nearly 1,700 registered trawlers, ventured into the sea on Friday. Officials expect fish landings to increase significantly in the coming days, resulting in improved supplies and a likely reduction in fish prices.The breakthrough came after a meeting held in Bhubaneswar involving senior fisheries officials, representatives of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, along with leaders of fishermen’s organisations.“It was decided that fishermen would receive adequate diesel from retail fuel outlets located at Paradip Fishing Harbour and other fishing jetties across the state,” said Rabi Narayan Patnaik, joint director (Marine), fisheries department.Deputy director of fisheries Bibhuti Bhusan Rout said the department coordinated with the oil companies to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to marine fishermen after concerns over diesel availability affected fishing operations.“We are happy that a large number of marine fishermen have returned to the sea after a gap of nearly 78 days,” said Narayan Haldar, president of Odisha Masyajibi Forum.Fishing harbours and seafood markets at Paradip, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and other coastal areas witnessed brisk activity on Friday as trawlers returned with fresh catches. Fish traders and local vendors gathered early to bid for the first landings.During the 78-day layoff, mechanised boat owners overhauled their vessels while fishermen repaired nets and other equipment in preparation for the new season. Migrant fishermen from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal also returned to Odisha’s coastal villages to join fishing operations.Ahead of departure, fishing harbours at Paradip, Kharinashi, Jamboo and Talachua witnessed hectic activity, including loading of ice blocks to preserve the catch during long voyages.“Fish merchants from West Bengal have already arrived at the fishing harbours to buy fresh fish. Seafood exporters have also reopened their procurement centres to buy fish and prawns from fishermen,” said Ranjan Behera, a seafood supplier from Paradip.
Fishermen readying their nets to set sail into the sea in Paradip
