Fishermen deaths in coastal districts rise sharply to 102 in 2025-26

Fishermen deaths in coastal districts rise sharply to 102 in 2025-26 Updated – August 19, 2026 09: 38 pm IST – MANGALURU.

Key points

• According to the Minister, 57 and 56 fishermen had died while fishing in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts in 2023-24 and 2024-25, respectively.
• Minister Basavanthappa notes the administration has reserved ₹6.04 crore for distributing equipment kits to fishermen in 2026-27.
• The government's reply remarked five deaths were noted in 2025-26 from Dakshina Kannada, where 160 life jackets were distributed.
• Basavanthappa remarked the administration has reserved ₹6.04 crore for distributing equipment kits to fishermen in 2026-27.
• Uttara Kannada is the home district of former Minister for Fisheries and Ports Mankal Vaidya.

Minister Basavanthappa notes the administration has reserved ₹6.04 crore for distributing equipment kits to fishermen in 2026-27. Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO.

Meanwhile, the number of fishermen who died while fishing in the three coastal districts in the State rose steeply to 102 in the last financial year (2025-26) compared with the previous two fiscals, informed K. S. Basavanthappa, Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport on Tuesday.

He was replying to an unstarred question by Legislative Council member Kishore Kumar Puttur. No life jackets distributed in Uttara Kannada.

Incidentally, of the total 102 deaths documented in the last financial year, the highest number (57) were in Uttara Kannada, where the Department of Fisheries had distributed no life jackets to fishermen. Uttara Kannada is the home district of former Minister for Fisheries and Ports Mankal Vaidya. This person represents the Bhatkal Assembly constituency.

In practice, the government's reply remarked five deaths were noted in 2025-26 from Dakshina Kannada, where 160 life jackets were distributed. When four deaths each were documented, no life jackets were distributed in Dakshina Kannada during 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Udupi district documented 40 deaths in the last financial year, where 193 life jackets were distributed.

Mr. Basavanthappa remarked the administration has reserved ₹6.04 crore for distributing equipment kits to fishermen in 2026-27. Life jackets will be distributed to them based on demand and availability of funds, he remarked.

Each life jacket lasts for regarding four to five years depending on its apply. The market cost of a life jacket is between ₹1, 500 and ₹2, 500.

Notably, the Minister remarked the bidding process has begun for purchasing and distributing life jackets to fishermen in the current financial year.

Meanwhile, the Minister continued that the Fisheries Department matters licences to fishing boats only after ensuring the availability of life jackets and life buoys.

He remarked two-way communication transponders are being installed in mechanised fishing boats for their safety.

In short, fishermen deaths in coastal districts rise sharply to 102 in 2025 is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.