Initial fishing catch ignites hope of good season in coastal Karnataka, but there is one concern

Marine fishers in Karnataka coast, who did not have good fishing season last fishing year, have a reason to cheer as they got good catch at the beginning of the 2025 fishing season that began in August.

While about 40% of the about 1,400 deep sea fishing vessels registered in Mangaluru ventured into the sea starting August 10, fishing vessels at Malpe, another important fishing harbour in coastal Karnataka, did not venture out in good numbers, according to sources.

Deep sea fishing vessels, which ventured into the sea in the second week of August post 61-day fishing holiday, returned with a good catch, in Mangaluru on August 20, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
H.S. Manjunath

“Those who went to the sea from August 10 have returned after four-five days following weather advisory. By then, most of them had a good catch of different varieties of fish,” said Mohan Bengre, a fishermen leader in Mangaluru. “Overall, there has been a good catch, following which more deep vessels have ventured into the sea this week,” he told The Hindu.

The Mangaluru fishing port has been abuzz with activities for the past one week with fishermen as well as traders engaged in brisk unloading of catch from vessels, purchasing the catch and loading varieties of fish onto waiting trucks.

Availability of fresh fish in markets has delighted consumers, who for the past three months depended either on produce from the east coast or dry fish products.

Small size

“However, there has been a cause for concern with the arrival of fresh catch in the market, as the species have not grown fully,” said U. Mahesh Kumar, General Manager with the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation.

Giving an example, he said about 15 Mackerels (Bangude) weighed one kilogram as against the earlier four-five fishes. This indicates that the species have not fully grown and underscores the need for enhanced fishing holiday.

Mr. Bengre echoed the sentiment. “At least 90 days of fishing holiday is required to allow species to grow fully. However, all States on the west coast should follow a uniform holiday system,” he said.

Mr. Kumar said the State and Central Governments are awaiting the report of a study by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute on extended fishing holiday. “If the report by the premier institute favours the same, the governments would implement it,” he said.