Fishermen in crisis following shortage of commercial gas

The continuing disruption in the supply of commercial gas, following war-induced regulations, has begun crippling the operation of mechanised fishing boats in Kozhikode district. Fishermen who used to depend on commercial gas cylinders for cooking during long days of deep-sea fishing are now struggling to cope with the crisis in the absence of any intervention by the Fisheries department.

“We are not allowed to use any other cooking methods, citing safety concerns. The use of traditional kerosene-powered cooking stoves is completely banned on fishing boats,” says K. Rasheed, a fishing boat owner from Beypore. He points out that boat owners may have to temporarily halt operations in the absence of any viable alternatives.

A fisherman from Puthiyappa harbour revealed that some are trying to manage the crisis using secretly arranged domestic gas cylinders, which is also illegal. “Many are still going out to sea, and there is no clue how they manage their cooking needs,” he added.

According to boat owners from Puthiyappa and Vellayil harbours, at least three commercial cylinders are required to meet the cooking needs of fishermen on larger fishing boats that stay at sea for over two weeks. Although some agents are selling heavily priced cylinders on the black market, it is hardly a profitable exercise, they point out.

“Many fishing boats have already stopped operations at Beypore harbour. Although we have raised the issue with the authorities for possible solutions, everyone remains silent, as the operation of fishing boats is hardly listed as an essential service,” says a fisherman from Mukhadar. According to him, the shortage will soon lead to a price hike for fish in both wholesale and retail markets.

As of now, there are nearly 700 medium and large fishing boats around Beypore harbour alone. Only traditional fishers and a few who continue their work with small mechanised boats are operating as usual, unaffected by the commercial gas shortage. Leaders of fishermen’s organisations reveal that many larger boats are now being forced to reduce the number of days spent on deep-sea fishing due to the looming crisis.

Meanwhile, Fisheries department sources say the supply regulations are temporary in nature and it will be resolved within a few weeks. They also point out that the disrupted supply has affected all the sectors and the government is working to address the situation quickly.