Five Fishermen Die While Handling Stored Chaman Fish in Uttara Kannada

Five fishermen in Uttara Kannada have died in two separate incidents after inhaling toxic gases released from stored Chaman fish (Indian Scad or Tonka), prompting authorities to issue safety guidelines at fishing harbours across the district. 

The fish that is widely caught along the Karnataka coast and used to make fish meal, fish oil and animal feed can turn deadly when it begins to decompose in poorly ventilated storage spaces.

Five fishermen lost their lives in two separate incidents within four days in Uttara Kannada district,



with three deaths reported at Gokarna-Tadadi harbour on October 27 and two at Mudaga on October 31. In both cases, the fishermen were exposed to toxic gases while removing Chaman fish from storage facilities. 

In the wake of these incidents, as a preventive measure, awareness meetings were held at fishing harbours in Karwar, Kumta, Bailekere and Honnavar. Officials from the Fisheries Department, Coastal Security Police, local police, Ports Department and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with fishing boat owners, participated in the meetings.