Chennai: It has been 11 days since Karunakaran, a fisherman from Nemili, ECR has taken his fiber boat into the sea for fishing.
On his boat, he has employed five other fishermen who too have not ventured into sea.
Fish has been mentioned as a essential in the government list for the Covid-19 lockdown period, but the fishermen from several hamlets around the city are being confined to their houses due to practical difficulties and restrictions.
The situation is expected to get even more worse as the fishing ban period begins on 15 April, a day after government lockdown ends.
Speaking to News Today, South India Fishing Welfare Association, president, K Bharathi says, “Since the lockdown was announced, fishermen are not going to the sea. Everyday, fishermen are asking each other if the restrictions are lifted so they can go again. It is affecting their survival. Most families survive only on the fishing income. Only the big mechanised boat owners can survive this lockdown phase. We feel that at least the fiber boats can be given permission to venture into the sea.”
In Puducherry and Kerala, fishing is allowed with restrictions, many say. The important fish markets in Chintadripet, Pattalam, Vanagaram, Kavangarai and Kasimedu will be affected by the lockdown.
As of now, Chintadripet, Kasimedu and Pattalam have sales from boats which had returned on 23 March.
Recently, 40 tonnes of prawns from farms in Andhra Pradesh were brought to Chintadripet.
Bharathi says, fisher families in Nochukuppam in Marina Beach are badly affected. “The roads to Loop Road are barricaded. No one is allowed to enter or leave the fishermen village. When meat and groceries are sold, why is fish not allowed? We can fish and also sell by practicing social distancing.”
Karunakaran says that the families here are in dire condition. “They managed for the first five days. Now they are borrowing money. Since shops are closed, they cannot pledge jewels. Some families are provided with free ration, some are not. On 3 April, the government said they would give Rs 1,000 for ration card holders. Many are waiting for that. Government must allow at least the small Motor boats to go for fishing.”