More than 750 families dependent on country boats and traditional thonis (rowing boat) in Pazhayar village, in Puthupattinam panchayat, are grappling with shrinking operational space and a lack of basic amenities, even as development work continue at the Pazhayar Fishing Harbour under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Over the past two years, infrastructure upgrades have been under way at the Pazhayar harbour in Mayiladuthurai district, aiming to boost marine infrastructure and livelihood opportunities. However, country boat fishermen allege that since the commencement of these works, their traditional boat parking zones have been encroached upon by larger mechanised trawlers, leaving them with little or no space within the harbour premises.

“There used to be designated areas for trawlers earlier, but now they have moved into our zones ever since the harbour construction began. We have been forced to park our boats on a narrow stretch along the Buckingham Canal, near the road,” said Thennarasu V., a country boat fisherman. “It takes up to an hour just to move our boats out because hundreds are docked closely without any order or system.”

At present, more than 350 country boats and 250 thonis operate from Pazhayar. With most of the harbour area occupied by mechanised boats — about 200 of them supporting around 250 families — the traditional fishers say they are left in a precarious situation.

“We lack a net mending hall, there are no functional streetlights in the harbour, and not even basic water facilities are available,” said Amaran V., another fisherman from the village. “The fish catch has reduced in recent years, and the lack of space and facilities adds to our worries.”

The affected fishermen are now forced to park their vessels near mangrove areas managed by the Forest Department, a location that was not traditionally meant for docking. Navigating the congested canal to reach the sea has become a daily challenge.

An official from the Fisheries Department acknowledged the situation and said that efforts are under way to mediate between the trawler owners and country boat fishers.