The Odisha Marine Fish Producers’ Association (OMFPA) demanded improvement of the Paradip fishing harbour, dredging of the Mahanadi river mouth, permission for use of Barunei channel for entry into and out of the fishing harbour and approval to the harbour to handle, display and/or auction wild caught fishery products meant for export etc. It threatened to take to streets if the demands were not fulfilled.
OMFPA president Srikant Parida along with vice-presidents Amarjeet Jena, Ashok Sahoo and general secretary Kishor Ray said about the difficulties faced by the fish traders now- a- days and appealed for immediate intervention of the Governments at the State and Centre.
Briefing mediapersons here, Parida stated that the Paradip fishing harbour which was previously under the control of the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) has been transferred to the local Fishing Harbour Management Society in the year 2011. The Mahanadi river channel connecting the sea has heavily silted the harbour basin which is hindering the safe movement of fishing vessels.
Due to the problem, regular mishaps are happening. The channel was last dredged by the PPT in the year 1999-2000.
The actual berthing capacity of the fishing harbour is for 350 fishing trawlers. But now 643 fishing trawlers are operating from the fishing harbour, apart from the 336 motorized crafts.
Hence, the harbour basin area is becoming overcrowded and risky in safe movement of fishing vessels, besides causing delay in unloading of fish catch and carrying water, fuel, ice etc. So he demanded extension of the fishing harbour with development of additional berthing facilities. Besides, one separate jetty may be constructed for providing berthing and other shore based facilities for motorized boats, he said.
Among others, MR Padhiary, SK Pradhan, BK Mohanty, RR Parida,A, Manash Ranjan Sahu, Madhumaya Samal, BBJ Sahoo were present.