MARGAO
Why are the traditional fishermen along Salcete coast raring to venture out in the sea to start the new fishing season?
Consider this. Prevailing weather conditions, fishermen say, are conducive for fishing for the prized solar shrimp. The manpower, mostly from Andhra Pradesh has started descending along the coast for the ensuing fishing season by the country-made boats. And, more importantly, fishermen believe the prized solar shrimp is available in abundance in the sea at the moment and they are all anxious to exploit the situation before the shrimp disappear after some days.
In fact, traditional fishermen are all bracing up for the hunt of the prized solar shrimp, which is normally available in abundance during the initial days of the fishing season, close to the coast. The fish traders are also down in the State to procure the solar shrimp, which after processing in Kerala, is being exported to countries in the Far East, more so Japan.
Ahead of the fishing season, the solar shrimp is commanding a price of Rs 80-110 per kilogram in the wholesale fish market. This is exactly the prime reason why the traditional fishermen are anxiously waiting for the nod from the Fisheries Department to venture out in the sea.
Benaulim-based fisherman Pele Fernandes said around 80-90 per cent of the migrant manpower required by the country-made boats have reported at the coast. “The traditional fishermen are all geared up for the fishing season. Our country-made boats are ready to venture out. The fishing nets are in place,” he said, adding that they are only waiting for the Fisheries Department’s nod to venture out.
He added: “Our experience coupled with the prevailing weather conditions shows that the solar shrimp is presently available close to the coast. We have to net the shrimp before it disappears. This is the only time in the year when the traditional fishermen can hope to net the shrimp before the big size mechanised fishing vessels start the season from August 1.”
Another fisherman pointed out that their livelihood depends on the catch of the prized shrimp which is available at this time of the year close to the coast. “We all brace up for fishing at this time of the year because of the availability of the solar shrimp in the sea,” the fisherman said while claiming that the authorities played spoilsport this year by not permitting the country-made boats to venture out in the sea before August 1.
