A new more precise sales system which is more transparent at the time of quantifying fish catch will finally be implemented in the state of Kerala, in South-West India, coming into effect from 1 November.
It is expected that this system, which is considered more suitable than a more primitive one by which bulk sales were only based on rough calculations, will bring to an end counter-charges of exploitation and losses, reports The Hindu.
Once the new system comes into effect, the catches will be packed into standard boxes with a set price already allocated.
Sources in the Fisheries Department pointed out that: It will be easy to fix the price of a small quantity after the buyers are able to scrutinise the quality of the catch.
Up to now, fishermen-boat owners rely on a traditional informal practice called lelakkizhivu, by which fishermen willingly forgo a percentage of the actual auction price. At present, this reduction can reach up to 13 per cent.
However, this system is not put into practice into the whole country but rather in the busiest landing centres in the State of Kerala: Thoppumpady, Kalamukku and Munambam.
Both the Fisheries Department and the fishermen have come to an agreement regarding this issue although it has to be discussed further and more thoroughly by representatives of both sides.
According to Anwar Mohammed, President of Vypeen-Fort Kochi Fish Merchants’ Association, the new system will benefit the fishermen as they would be able to obtain a fairer price for their catch and to assess the quality of the catch in a much better way.
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