The hopes of boat operators of North Andhra of a bumper yield post-ban period have been dashed. Unlike the catch they received last year during the first voyage after the end of a 61-day ban period, fishermen are thoroughly disappointed this time. Those who went for short voyage to nearby coasts have been returning since the past two to three days. They could net brown shrimp mostly, but the size is small. The exporters are offering only Rs.290 to Rs.300 per kg for this size against last year’s Rs.450. Due to lack of demand for exports, some of the stock is being supplied to the domestic market. Not only size, the quantity has also come down this season. Except Peruvian fish, which is being captured in large numbers towards the Annavaram coast near Bhimili, fishermen are able to catch only brown shrimp. Availability of white shrimp and tiger variety has become rare for the past several years. Most of the mechanised boats are returning with a catch weighing around half a tonne. This is not enough to meet their operational cost. Visakhapatnam topped among 30 fish-landing centres in the country with the export of consignments worth Rs.7,578 crore during 2014-15, according to the Marine Product Export Development Authority. The cost of diesel, provisions and labour has gone up steeply. Diesel is now costing Rs.61 per litre. Under these circumstances, how can we survive, asked Ch. Satyanarayana Murthy, president, Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association. Fishing grounds Fishermen are also forced to look for alternative fishing grounds this time due to rift with their counterparts in Odisha. Most of the mechanised boats based in Visakhapatnam and other jetties go on voyage towards Addukonda, China Arjipalli, Prayoga, Rambha, Gopalpur and Paradip. Due to the rift and seizure of some of their boats for entering the no entry zone’ earmarked close to the shoreline, fishermen here are scouting for new zones towards Kakinada, Pudimadaka, Bhimili, Bhavanapadu and Kalingapatnam. Of late, we are also encountering a new problem in the form resistance from local fishermen for entering their shoreline, remarked P.Ch. Appa Rao, president, AP Mechanised Boat Operators’ Association. The fishing industry expects that a reasonably good monsoon and breeze will help increase the numbers of various types of high-value fish.
2016, The Hindu