Fishing boat returns with record catch in Mangalore

A purse-seine boat brings fish catch worth Rs. 33.5 lakh

‘Navaratna’, a purse-seine boat owned by Sukhpal Salian of Hosabettu, brought back a record 27 tonnes of fish valued at over Rs. 33.5 lakh — a record for Mangalore — on Tuesday.

There has been no record of a single boat landing 27 tonnes from a single venture in the past, an official confirmed.

The boat accompanied by the carrier “Lakshmi Krupa” owned by Mr. Salian’s brother, caught the fish near the recently inaugurated Single Point Mooring (SPM) – a facility to transport crude oil from large vessels through an under-sea pipeline for MRPL – off New Mangalore Port. ‘Navaratna’ ventured into the sea 4 a.m., and returned to the shore at 4.30 p.m.

Committee member of Karnataka Purse-seine Meenugarara Sangha Mohan Bengre told

The Hindu that the “bumper” catch consisted mainly of a variety locally called Kandai (beak fish), balde (perch) anjal (seer fish) and Baleodu (carangids). The different varieties were sold for Rs. 120 to Rs. 400 a kg.

Mr. Bengre said of late purse-seine fishermen have often landed good catch – ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh near the SPM. The brightness around the point where crude-laden vessels are stationed could attract schools of fish which could be taking shelter in the sunken boats.

According to him the previous biggest haul was valued at Rs. 21 lakh.