Fishermen of mechanised boats of Akkarapettai in Nagapattinam district ventured into the sea on Wednesday after a long gap due to cyclone Gaja. The cyclone had wreaked havoc on coastal hamlets, fishing boats and accessories. Many affected fishermen are yet to resume normal life. However, in some villages, fishers have started venturing into the sea as they could no longer afford to forego their earnings. About 200 fishermen ventured into the sea on Wednesday. Fishers in other hamlets are expected to resuming fishing gradually over the next few days. We are resuming after a gap of nearly a month. Except once, we did not venture into the sea right through November due to bad weather and subsequent cyclone. We have suffered heavy losses and can no longer go without any income, said S.N.Mohandas, a fisherman of Akkarapettai. The fishers ventured into the sea on November 10 but returned midway as they were asked to return at once due to fast approaching cyclone. Hundreds of mechanised and fibre boats and catamarans were badly damaged in the cyclone in scores of fishing hamlets in Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts. High velocity wind threw many boats deep inland in places such as Vizhunthamavadi, Pushpavanam and Kodiyakarai. The fishers expressed dissatisfaction over the compensation announced by the government for partially and fully damaged boats and nets. They decided to stay away from the sea until the relief was hiked substantially. We decided to resume fishing now after consultation among villagers. If our demands are not met, we will think of launching an agitation, Mr. Mohandas said. Meanwhile, Fisheries department officials in Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Thanjavur districts said the process of crediting compensation for partially damaged boats at the rate announced by the government into beneficiaries’ bank accounts has begun. The compensation for fully damaged will be given in due course. The department has deployed earth movers, tractors and cranes to help fishers move boats that have been thrown away. The work has been completed in some villages and continues in a few others. In places such as Pushpavanam, the work could be taken up after removing the marine ooze that had been deposited on the shores. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Engineering Department in association with voluntary organisations is engaged in removing the ooze using earth movers and tractors. Health Secretary J.Radhakrishnan, who is monitoring relief and rehabilitation efforts, inspected the work at Pushpavanam and Naluvedapathi on Wednesday and urged officials and voluntary organisations to expedite the work and make the beach accessible to fishers and the public.