The fishermen in the state are largely hit due to companies dropping the price of fishes claiming poor export. The companies are saying that the fishes are not available in time after inspection, hence can’t export them due to which they are forced to collect fishes from fishermen at low prices. But fishermen are of the opinion that the companies are collecting the fishes and storing them for the upcoming Christmas – New year season. This year there is a boom in arrival of fish to the market. Squid variants are in demand for export mainly to the western countries. At present they cost only half the price as earlier. For export, the fishes are to be clinically inspected at Export Inspection Agency (EIA) labs and should obtain clearance. Almost all the exporting companies have their own labs apart from labs under central government organisations like Export Inspection Council (EIC), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), and Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT). All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association general secretary Joseph Saviour said that even with all these facilities, companies still stick on to their claim that inspected fishes are not available in time. Usually EIA conducts random inspections after companies test on their own. After the implementation of GST, the fishing equipment have become costly. Above that, this move by the companies are creating more difficulties for fishermen. But according to company authorities, collecting and storing fishes indefinitely is practically impossible as this calls for huge expenses. The present dip in the cost is due to the less demand in other countries as there are adequate supplies there.