Udupi district in-charge Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, on Thursday, urged fishers to prioritise their safety while at sea by utilising safety equipment.

She spoke after inaugurating a workshop on the importance of life-saving equipment for fishermen organised by the district administration and the fisheries department at Rajatadri, the district office complex in Manipal.

Ms. Hebbalkar asked the fishermen to make use of several schemes introduced by the government to ensure their safety. While there would be a ban on deep-sea fishing during June and July, traditional fishermen were allowed to go fishing. However, fishers should see that their lives were not at risk due to heavy rains, winds, and rough seas. Expressing concern over more than 140 fishers losing their lives in the district during the last five years, Ms. Hebbalkar urged them to always use life jackets.

Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa noted that over two lakh fishers were engaged in fishing utilising 9,328 different categories of boats along the 98 km coastline in the district. Fishers and their associations should ensure those venturing into the sea wear life-saving equipment.

Identified fishermen were given safety equipment on the occasion.

Later, Ms. Hebbalkar inaugurated the Akka Cafe at Rajatadri being run by Sanjeevini Women Self Help Group.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal, Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, fisheries Joint Director R. Vivek and others were present.