Kerala - Kollam   

Rich catch, but poor prices

Photo: C. Suresh Kumar

Forex earner: Squid placed for auction at the Shakthikulangara harbour in Kollam on Monday. –

KOLLAM: The rich harvest of export-oriented prawns and fish by mechanised boats on Monday failed to lift the spirits of boat owners at the Neendakara and Shakthikulangara fishing harbours due to a steep fall in the prices of fish. Ironically last Friday, the first day after the end of the 47-day trawling ban, it was poor harvest and high prices that frustrated the boat owners.

The fall in prices has been attributed to shortage of ice blocks and the unrestricted entry of boats of other States into the two harbours to sell their catch.

M.S. James, general secretary of the Kollam District Boat Owners Association, said Monday’s harvest was simply overwhelming but the prices were depressing.

The prime harvests of the day were ‘karikadi’ (marine shrimp), ‘kazhanthan’ (penaeid prawn), ‘kilimeen’ (threadfin breamer) and squid. Several other species in high demand in the domestic market were also harvested in plenty.

Mr. James said though the majority of the boats had a catch valued at Rs.3 lakh each, they could auction it only for Rs.1 lakh.

He said power cut was the main reason for the shortage of ice blocks. Ice factories were not in a position to meet the sudden spurt in demand.

Also, boats from other States considered the huge harvest a windfall and rushed to the two harbours to sell their catch “at undercutting prices.”

Local fishing boat owners alleged that the majority of the boats from other States did not have the mandatory permit from the Fisheries Department. In fact, such boats engaged in unauthorised entry and unethical selling, they alleged.

Mr. James said more than 350 boats from other States had entered the two harbours without permit.

However, the Marine Enforcement Wing of the Fisheries Department had not taken any action, though it was announced last week that permits for such boats to enter the harbours would be made strict.

As a result, a basket of ‘karikadi’ that normally costs Rs.7,000 fetched only Rs.2,000 in the auction on Monday. A basket of ‘kilimeen’ that normally costs Rs.2,500 fetched not more than Rs.900.

Mr. James said it was the agents of sea food exporting companies who stood to benefit from Monday’s trade at the two harbours. They will earn the normal prices on selling it to exporting companies. He said when prices began

falling, some boat owners decided to stash away their catch as fresh stock of ice began to arrive by late evening in the hope that prices will climb on Tuesday.

The boat owners expect the sea to remain bountiful for the next two days. They have urged the wanted the Fisheries Department to make the permit system strict on Tuesday.

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