mangalore today

Fisherfolk unhappy over excess catch and low prices


Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Oct 14, 2014:  The  Malpe fisherfolk are  worried over excess fish catch and the abrupt drop in the prices. This phenomina it seems is experienced by fishermen in several areas of the coast. The fishermen are facing  the brunt of loss due to surplus fish catch are also agonized over the artificial shortage of ice to store the fish.

 

Malpe fisherfo...


The beginning of the season was indeed profitable, however fish business in  recent days has led to confusion according to  fishermen.

One fisherman who also acts as an agent for the export of fish, stated to the media that the shortage of ice is due to excess fishing activities in the area. Fishing practices have changed and boats filling up with  fish catch return to shore filled with fish more often, a shortage of ice is happening.

mechanised boat fishing norms  :  The Leyland speed boats, which normally venture into sea for a 2 week spell,  are now returning within a week with an excess catch.   Fishing boat with 370 hp engine are normally supposed to be out fishing at sea for more than eight days, but currently  turn around  in three day fishing activity.

A veteran, who is into fishing business for the last 15 years added that the purseine boats are involved in fishing of mackerel, sear fish and so on. These boats catch 3 to 40 tonnes of mackerel and sear fish. In the context of  excess from normal catch the prices are  low.

Scarcity of ice :   The excess fishing of Leyland speed boats and 370 horse power engine boats has created a scarcity of ice for other boats also triggering dip in the prices of fish. The fishermen are selling fish at throw away prices, as they are not able to get sufficient ice to store the fish.