Fishers flag concerns over move, term it disastrous Updated: Updated: Entry of foreign firms for deep-sea fishing termed Share Article Entry of foreign firms for deep-sea fishing termed Representatives of the All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association, who had approached both the State and the Centre for support to conduct deep-sea fishing, say the entry of foreign firms in the sector will be disastrous. “We already have more than enough trawlers and they are talking about launching a fleet of 400 extra vessels. The mechanised sector has been struggling due to the depletion in marine stock and the project is not at all viable. Last year, shipyard had built 40 vessels for the fishers from Thrissur with a Central subsidy of ₹1 crore. At present the vessels are operating at a loss,” says Joseph Xavier Kalappurakkal, general secretary.