Udupi: Traditional boat fishermen who will venture into fishing in the wake of ban on deep sea fishing, offered Samudra Pooja to the sea at Malpe on June 11, before venturing into fishing.

Various rituals and special pooja (prayer) were offered at Bennekudru Mahasthri temple, Uchila’s Shrimahalaxmi temple and Malpe’s Vadabaandeshwara temple before the prasada was offered to the sea as part of Samudra Pooja.

This season an estimated 30,000 fishermen in 1500 traditional boats will venture into the sea for fishing in the district. This is one of the oldest traditions that is been still followed.

A ban has been imposed on mechanized fishing boats to protect the fish, as monsoon is a breeding. The ban has been applied for 61 days. During this time the traditional boats are allowed to use 10 HP outboard engines in it. They are also allowed to venture to 5 -6 nautical mile sea.