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Kundapura, April 18, 2026: The fishing sector in coastal Karnataka is facing a severe crisis due to rising atmospheric temperatures, increasing sea water warmth, a significant shortage of fish, and fuel supply issues. Although the official monsoon fishing ban is yet to commence, most boat owners in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have decided to anchor their vessels early as operations have become financially unviable.

In major ports like Mangaluru, Malpe, Gangolli, and Byndoor, fishing activities have seen a drastic decline. According to fishermen, currently, only about 15% of boats are operating in the sea, while the remaining 85% have already returned to the shore. The rise in sea temperatures has caused fish populations to migrate from coastal areas to deeper waters, leading to poor catches even after several days of labor at sea.

Deep-sea fishing involves massive expenses, including the cost of diesel, ice, provisions, and workers’ wages. With the dwindling availability of fish, boat owners are finding it impossible to recover even the basic operational costs, leading to mounting debts. Furthermore, global conflicts have disrupted the supply chain, causing irregularities in diesel distribution at dedicated fuel stations. The rising price of fuel has added an extra burden on the struggling community.

Senior

GangolliNews