Fishing season in Mangaluru and Udupi ended strongly with higher catches and revenue, despite fuel issues, followed by June–July mechanised fishing ban and infrastructure challenges.
Mangaluru
The fishing season in Karnataka’s coastal districts of Mangaluru and Udupi has concluded on a positive note, with a significant rise in fish production offering relief to the fishing community after a weak performance last year.
A mandatory 61-day mechanised fishing ban will come into effect from June 1 and continue until July 31, as part of seasonal marine conservation measures.
Despite operational challenges such as fuel supply disruptions and rising costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the region recorded strong overall fish catches this season. Improved natural conditions also contributed to higher yields, helping the sector recover from last year’s slump.
For the 2025–26 season, Mangaluru reported a fish catch of 1,97,381 tonnes valued at ₹3,856 crore, marking a strong improvement over the previous year’s reduced output of 1,71,795 tonnes worth ₹2,220 crore. However, production still remained slightly below the 2023–24 peak of 2,39,758 tonnes valued at ₹3,976 crore.
In Udupi district, the fisheries department estimated a total catch of around 3.52 lakh tonnes, valued at ₹3,596.66 crore. This represents an approximate 25 per cent increase in value compared to recent years, although output figures remain below the highs recorded in 2023–24.
The season began slowly due to poor catches in the early months of September and October, followed by diesel and fuel shortages that affected operations. However, the final three months saw improved yields, helping balance overall production.
Infrastructure constraints remain a major concern for the sector. In Mangaluru, limited berthing space at fishing docks has created logistical challenges for returning vessels. Only a fraction of the 1,400-metre dock is currently operational, forcing congestion and delays.
Similarly, Udupi’s Malpe fishing harbour continues to face severe space shortages, with over 1,800 mechanised boats competing for limited docking facilities. This has led to overcrowding, frequent vessel damage and operational inefficiencies.
Fishing communities have also raised demands for policy changes, including an extension of the mechanised fishing ban period and the introduction of uniform regulations across India’s western coast.
With the seasonal ban approaching, all mechanised vessels are required to return to shore by May 31, while only small traditional boats with limited engine capacity will be allowed to operate in shallow coastal waters during the ban period.