Recoup season

“But the small-time fishermen cannot survive during these months as they heavily depend on a daily income,” said Lakshman Dhanur,chairman,Machchimal Sarvodaya Sahakari Society,Cuffe Parade. To overcome to the lean period this year,the fishermen’s association has written to the State Fisheries Department,urging the resumption of small fishing activity.

“We spend more than half of what we earn through the year in repairing the machinery and replacing broken and worn-out parts,” said fisherman Ram Kisan Tarkari (40),who is fixing his boat and two trawlers at Versova Jetty.

Boat builder Sukhdev Mistry (57) said the cost of repairing a fishing boat could be between Rs 50,000 and Rs 10 lakh. “The bottom and sides of the boat need the most attention,” he said. Using tarpaulin sheets as shade to work in the downpour,he added,“We don’t even make boats in this season as the quality of wood deteriorates.”

Yet with technology gaining momentum in the city’s fishing community,it is not unusual to see fibre-glass boats,priced at Rs 25 lakh,replacing the erstwhile wooden models that cost at least Rs 35 lakh.