'Break' in the fishing season: Boats grounded, fishers hit economicallySakal News Service, Alibaug, 16th: Fishermen in Raigad district who had been gearing up for the new fishing season have been hit hard by the stormy weather. The port department has warned that fishermen should not go into the sea till August 20. As a result, even after half a month of the two-month government ban on fishing, the fishermen are in financial limbo as the fishing boats are still grounded in the port.

Because of the workers who had returned to their home states during lockdown, and three bouts of storms, the previous fishing season had been completely wasted. Fishermen expected a good start to the new season, but this expectation was dashed. The question of paying the salaries of the returning workers, repairing the boats, buying the nets, paying the loan installments and running the business has started bothering the fishermen here. Manohar Bail, Vice President of Raigad Fishermen's Union, says that the effect of this financial crunch will be visible on the coming Gauri-Ganpati festival in a few days. Before the government ban ended on August 1, fishermen had successfully prepared for the new season by wiping the wounds of Cyclone Nisarga. However, the storm that started on August 4 has not subsided yet. Due to this, hundreds of boats from Mora, Mandwa, Varsoli, Sakhar-Akshi, Nagaon, Rajpuri, Ekdara, Murud, Jeevan Bandar, Dive Aagar and Shekhadi are still at the port. The fishermen here are waiting for the storm to calm down.

Last year's season was a complete waste. But other expenses like salary of the workers, diesel expenses and expenses for boat repairs have still not stopped. The question of how to celebrate this festival is bothering us for the first time despite the immense faith in Gauri Ganapati. The government should take notice of this and provide relief to the Kolis, said fisherman Satyajit Pherekar, Alibaug Koliwada.

Problems faced by fishermen persist

-Closure of wholesale trade in Sassoon Dock- Diesel not received yet-No compensation for damages by Cyclone Nisarga- Labourers returning from the village have no funds and capital left- Banks fight for loan recovery