'Tsunami damage could affect fishing industry'

The damage could especially affect export of shrimps and other varieties costing Rs 200 crore, an official of the fisheries dept said.

The damage to thousands of mechanised boats and country craft in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh could affect the fishing industry, especially export of shrimps and other varieties to the tune of Rs 200 crore, a top official of the fisheries department said on Wednesday.

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Even if the damaged mechanised boats, costing about Rs 10 lakh each, were repaired, it would take three to six months for the fishing industry, wrecked by the tsunami, to recover, scientist Dr Ramakrishna said.

"It is not only boats. Many fishermen have died and those, who survived, have lost their boats," he said. He also urged the Finance Ministry to prepare a loan package to help restart the industry, which earns about Rs 2500 crore in foreign exchange.

Dr Ramakrishna said lending money for the industry would be profitable, as boats had been heavily damaged, not only in India, but also in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and many other coastal areas.

"As fishermen in the Cuddalore-Nagapattinam belt had to start from scratch, they need more help," he said.

He also expected migration of fishermen, especially labourers working for boat owners, to other districts. However, he did not expect any depletion in the fish population in the Palk Straits due to tsunami.