MARGAO
Smiles lit the faces of traditional fishermen along Salcete coast as they started the new fishing season with a bang.
Most of the traditional fishermen who ventured out in the sea with their motorised canoes returned back with a moderate to bumper catch of the prized solar shrimp. Given that the solar shrimp is normally found in the sea for a few days, the fishermen with their motorised canoes have begun the hunt of the prized shrimp in the right earnest.
Colva-based fisherman Domingo Rodrigues, popularly known as Dom Rod, expressed happiness that the fishermen returned with a moderate to bumper catch of the solar shrimp.
He said the prevailing weather conditions are conducive for fishing, adding that most of the fishermen have netted moderate catch of the shrimp.
Benaulim-based fisherman Pele too echoed similar sentiments. He said the Almighty has been kind to the fishermen as they have managed to net a moderate catch of the solar shrimp.
Though the traditional fishermen start the fishing operations around July 26-27 every year, they could not do so this season after officials of the Fisheries Department and the police intensified patrolling at the major landing points as part of crack down on fishermen violating fishing ban regulations.
Meanwhile, the purchase rate of solar shrimp fell drastically in the market as the fishermen registered a moderate to bumper harvest of the shrimp. While a kilogram of solar shrimp commanded a rate of Rs 140, the rate has now fallen to Rs 100 per kilogram. Fishermen have demanded that the wholesale agents offer them a better rate since the solar shrimp is in high demand in countries such as Japan.
