Fishermen sorting out the catch at the Colva beach on Sunday evening. Santosh Mirajkar
PANAJI: Due to the bumper catch of mackerals, sardines (tarles) and pedves for last few days, the rates of these fish have come to an affordable level of middle class fish lovers.
Last week maximum 6 to 8 mackerals could be purchased for Rs 100. With the bumper catch now during peak hours, a maximum of 60 small mackerals can be fetched with Rs 100.
Now a substantial amount (vato) of small fish can be bought even with Rs 50. These are retail rates, wholesale rates will be even much lower.
Some fishermen expect the bumper catch to continue for few more days.
Fishermen say that favourable wind conditions have helped them get a good catch these days.
Mackerals come close to the shore as a result small cannoe operators at Baga are making hay which is sold on the spot at the beach in the evening.
"I went to buy fish in the evening on Baga beach. The fishermen gave be 60 mackerals for Rs 100. As the fish was more I and my neighbour shared the mackerals", said a fish lover.
"The trawler operators are catching big mackerals most of which is exported", said Minono Alphonso of Mandovi Fishermen Association.
