NEGARA ~ Fisherman at Pebuahan, a coastal village in Banyubiru, Jembrana, have complained that a project to construct a breakwater will prevent them from casting their nets and earning a living.

Dozens of fisherman missed a day’s fishing on Tuesday to attend a protest meeting, claiming they were misled about the extent of the project, which they say is curbing fishing in lucrative waters.

One community leader said the breakwater, which was designed to create a pool of calm water and prevent erosion, was being extended much further than the area in which Pebuahan Village had agreed to its construction. Local fishermen do not believe it has helped control erosion.

Businessmen financing construction of the breakwater did not attend the meeting.