Diesel curbs cast shadow as fishing season resumes after 61-day ban
Fishermen will return to sea starting at midnight on Sunday, with the end of the 61-day annual fishing ban. However, restrictions on diesel supply and rising fuel costs have dampened hopes for the new fishing season.
Boat owners at the Fishing Harbour reported that most vessels will limit their trips to about a week instead of the usual fortnight-long deep-sea voyages due to insufficient diesel availability. Fuel station operators are currently providing only up to 1,000 liters of diesel per vessel, which is far below the 5,000 liters typically needed for extended fishing trips.
Harbour operators have noted that oil companies have reduced fuel allocations, with each fuel station receiving only one 40,000-liter tanker per day. At this supply level, diesel can be provided to only around 40 boats daily, impacting fishing operations across the harbour.
The situation has been exacerbated by a recent increase in diesel prices, which have risen from ₹99 per liter to ₹105.61 per liter. Boat owners indicated that vessels consuming nearly 300 liters of diesel each day will now face an additional fuel cost of about ₹2,000 daily.
Although the government offers a diesel subsidy of ₹9 per liter, this is limited to 3,000 liters per month for traditional fishing boats and 300 liters for engine-powered boats. Any consumption beyond these limits must be paid for by the boat owners themselves.
Leaders of fishermen’s associations reported that only about half of the 687 traditional fishing boats and nearly 1,000 engine-powered boats operating from the harbour are ready to set sail after the ban.
Despite Monday coinciding with Amavasya, a day when many traditionally avoid starting new activities, fishermen have decided to proceed with their operations. They pointed out that fish catches are generally better during both the new moon and full moon phases.
“We are putting aside such sentiments and heading out to sea, as these phases are considered favorable for fishing,” said Balaji, secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Traditional Fishing Boats Association.