MARGAO
For the first time since the new fishing season began on August 1, traditional fishermen netted a sizeable quantity of the prized solar shrimp on Tuesday.
If sources are to be believed, around 25 tonnes of the solar shrimp were netted by the motorized canoes operated by the traditional fishermen along the Colva-Benaulim coast.
A kilogram of solar shrimps commanded between Rs 120 and140 in the wholesale market as agents descended along the Salcete coast to purchase the catch.
A young fisherman Hanzil Da Silva told The Goan that his vessel netted solar shrimps on Tuesday. “For the time being, the catch is okay. Let us wait and see what lies in store for the fishermen in the coming days,” he said.
Another fisherman Mila Goes said this is the first time in the last two years that the fishermen have netted the prized solar shrimps. “The solar shrimps had eluded the fishermen in the last two years. This year, we netted a moderate catch,” he added.
Wholesale fish agent, Hafiz Maulana, informed that though the traditional fishermen have started the season some days ago, they have netted the shrimps in moderate quantity only on Tuesday.
“The traditional fishermen get only a few days to do fishing in a year. This is the time they net fish. Some of the fishermen have netted shrimps ranging from 500 to 800 kilograms while others were fortunate to net more than a tonne. But, we do not know what lies in store tomorrow,” he said.
Saying that the catch of the solar shrimps has been on the decline over the years, Hafiz said the landing of shrimp on the Benaulim-Colva coast was in the range of 50-80 tonnes a day in the past. “Compared to the past, we are not happy with the catch. Besides, the fishermen had to contend with the high cost of fuel and other expenses. Unlike in the past, we do not get good rates. Some of the processing plants in Cochin have shut operations because of the high cost of labour,” he added.
