Nearly 1,500 fishing boats are anchored at the Mangrol port with a thick layer of sand on the shore making it difficult to sail. Even though the fishing season is on, boats cannot venture into the sea due to lack of required depth.

The fishermen community at Mangrol has been demanding immediate action on the problem and dredging of the shores. They have also alleged that the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has failed to provide even the basic requirements.

Khimjibhai Parmar, office bearer of the Mangrol Fishing Boat Association, said: “Since the beginning of the current fishing season, fishing boats at other ports have already completed two to three trips, but those at Mangrol are still ashore because of shallow water. This has brought their fishing activity to a halt.”

According to Parmar, the entire Mangrol shore, including the jetty and berth, are filled with sand, and without dredging, no boat could sail. “The boats have become white elephants for the fishermen, who have been incurring great losses,” Parmar said.

Fishermen community leader Dhanjibhai Hodar said: “GMB has failed to provide basic amenities here. The board has collected an amount to the tune of Rs 60 lakh in the form of licence fee, jetty and anchoring charges, but failed to deal with the existing problem.”

Fishermen community leaders have forwarded a letter to the commissioner of fisheries, demanding immediate action.