MARGAO
With just four days remaining before the annual fishing season officially commences on August 1, traditional fishermen along the Salcete coast have already begun venturing into the Arabian Sea in pursuit of the highly prized Solar shrimp, despite rough sea conditions and safety concerns.
On Monday, a handful of traditional motorised fishing canoes returned to shore with small to moderate catches of Solar shrimp, along with limited quantities of mackerel and a few other fish species. While the catch was not substantial, fishermen expressed optimism that shrimp landings would improve in the coming days.
The fishing activity comes barely a day after a traditional motorised canoe capsized off the Majorda coast on Sunday, highlighting the risks associated with operating in turbulent monsoon seas. However, the incident failed to dampen the spirits of local fishermen, many of whom continued to brave the rough waters in the hope of securing the lucrative shrimp catch before the fishing season officially opens.
Although some fishermen have already started operations, several others are yet to venture into the sea as they await the arrival of migrant crew members, whose services are crucial for operating the fishing canoes.
"Most of our migrant workers have not yet returned. We will begin our fishing operations only after the crew members report for duty," said a traditional boat owner.
Another boat owner pointed out that while sea conditions appeared relatively calm farther offshore, the huge waves near the shore made launching and bringing back the canoes extremely difficult. "There is always a risk of damage to the nets, outboard motors and even the canoes themselves," he said.
Every year, the hunt for Solar shrimp begins a few days before the official lifting of the monsoon fishing ban on August 1. Traditional fishermen, who are permitted to carry out limited fishing activities using small craft, seize this opportunity to target the seasonal shrimp, which commands a premium price in the export market.
At the various fish landing centres across Salcete, fish agents are already purchasing the shrimp directly from fishermen before dispatching the consignments to seafood processing units in Kerala. Industry sources said Solar shrimp enjoys strong demand in the Japanese market, making it one of the most sought-after catches during the pre-season period
