The recent decision by the Centre to effect steep increase in diesel price has inflicted a big blow to the fishermen of Andhra Pradesh.
At a time when preparations should have been at an advanced stage to start the fishing season after the end of the 61-day ban from June 15, the increase by Rs.2.58 per litre has caused severe resentment among the fishermen.
Sources in the fishing industry told The Hindu that on an average a mechanised boat owner would incur an additional burden of Rs. 4 lakh to Rs.5 lakh annually due to the expenditure on fuel.
Incidentally, diesel price has been revised several times in the past few months taking it to Rs. 58.24 per litre. The State Government, which reimburses Rs. 6.03 per litre subject to a maximum of 3,000 litres per month, has not revised it since 2009 when the diesel per litre cost Rs. 34.
“It [price hike] has totally demoralised us at a time when we should have been brimming with enthusiasm to venture into the sea with hopes of a big catch,” said Dolphin Boat Operators Welfare Association president Ch. Satyanarayana Murthy.
Mr. Murthy said the Centre had stopped subsidy (fisheries development rebate) since 2006.
The reimbursement towards diesel procurement being made by boat owners is extended by the State Government to only those boats which were registered up to March 31, 2002, Mr. Murthy said and sought it periodically revised and extended to all the boat owners. Falling catch and spiralling cost of operations have put fishing industry in troubled waters.
Due to distress situation, subsidy is given by the State Government as export of seafood also fetches foreign exchange to the country.
Visakhapatnam is the largest fish landing centre in the country with the city retaining its position in $4.5 billion exports during 2015-16. On an average, for a 15-16 day voyage, a mechanised boat needs 4,000 litres.
The cost of fuel, provisions and wages to the crew put together, the voyage will cost around Rs. 2.5 lakh.
“Due to high cost of operation, we incur losses unless we get high-value fish like tiger variety of shrimp,” a boat owner pointed out.
