The Fishermen community of Mumbai on Monday protested at several sea fronts across the coastal areas of Uttan near Bhayandar. The protest was conducted against the decision taken by the government to reduce fishing ban period from 61 days to 47 days.
The fishermen in Mumbai also protested to seek compensation from government-owned ONGC which, they claim, has not paid their dues amounting to 500 crore for many years.
Fishermen waved black flags while strictly following physical distancing norms. All fishing activities had been shut down in the wake of the lockdown imposed on March 24 to contain the spread of coronavirus. However, the ban was lifted and fishing was allowed from April 10.
Amid the lockdown the Fishermen community suffered huge losses. To override that, by an order dated May 25, the government amended the uniform fishing ban to 47 days, from June 15 to July 31 on the west coast. The order reasoned that shortening the ban by 14 days this year would help make up for business lost due to "restrictions in marine fishing activities" during the lockdown.
The National Fishworkers Forum and other fishing organisations had written to Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy to withdraw the order dated May 25. This, they said was for two reasons. First, fishing at this time would disturb the breeding cycle and second, that the sea is extremely rough and this could lead to loss of life.
However, the circular was reportedly not taken back which has led to the fishermen community's decision to stage a protest at 10 AM on Monday morning.