New Delhi, Dec 1 (KNN) Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has requested Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa to withdraw the blanket ban on fish import, claiming that the crackdown has caused "huge losses" to the fishermen from the southern state.

In a letter Kumaraswamy wrote “This blanket ban may be withdrawn... Karnataka will ensure that the fish traders comply with the FDA regulations and obtain a certificate after meeting the required standards."

He said, "I request you to kindly permit transportation and trading activities of fish between the two states and the ban order issued by the state of Goa may be kept on hold till we comply with FDA regulations.

He further added that the fisher folks from three coastal districts in Karnataka - Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, who harvest a catch of nearly 4.10 lakh tonne every year, were now facing huge losses on account of the ban.

The controversy erupted when in July FDA found traces of carcinogenic cadaver preservative in fish sold in Goa and to crackdown on fish mafia, Goa on November 12 banned the import of fish from traders who were unregistered with state’s FDA.