With the 45-day fishing ban on the east coast coming into force from Tuesday night, many city residents say they will turn into eggetarians rather than consume fish from Kerala or Karnataka, or fish from lakes.
S. Kumuda, a resident of Karapakkam, says her family prefers to consume eggs during this time of the year.
“Since fish prices will be high, I will opt for eggs. They are a better option than chicken that will lead to an increase in body heat. Eggs are also a healthier option,” she says.
Mohan Reddy of the National Egg Coordination Committee–Chennai says that each year, during the fishing ban, there is a five-ten per cent increase in egg sales.
“This year too, we expect the sales to increase. However, it will not help the egg farmer, who sells eggs at a loss of Re. 1 each due to various factors,” he says. Retail egg prices vary from Rs. 3 to Rs. 4.50 each.
Prices of inland fish, including cutla and rogu , have almost doubled. “We expect seafish prices to go up by 30 per cent. Even if fish from Kerala and Karnataka come in, the prices will be high,” says K. Saravanan, a boat owner from Kasimedu. This time of the year, dry fish sales too go up.
On an average, every day, the city consumes around 130 tonnes of fish that lands at Kasimedu fishing harbour.
During the ban period, aimed at allowing fish breeding, the city receives around four tonnes of fish, brought in by small fibre-reinforced boats and catamarans which are allowed to fish.
For the next 45 days, around 1,100 mechanised boats will stay on the shore.
(Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam)
Why is the ban essential?
> Every year, large fishing boats do not venture into the sea for 45 days during the ban to allow fish spawning
> Though breeding takes place throughout the year, the peak for several species is during this time
> For fish in the top layers of the sea, breeding season is mostly during October-November, and for those at the bottom, it is April-May
How does the ban help?
> According to a 2010 report by Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, there is no significant difference in catch before and after introduction of fishing ban along the west coast
> However, there is marginal improvement in catch after the fishing ban for different species/groups of fish along the east coast
> The increase in catch is essentially due to increase in efficiency of craft and gear and extension of fishing to offshore regions in the last two decades
> The seasonal ban helps the fish grow, thereby improving the price and value
Problems during the ban
> A total of 17,000 mechanised crafts with engine of more than 10 hp from 591 fishing villages in 13 coastal districts in Tamil Nadu, and in Puducherry and Karaikal districts, remain idle during the ban
> The city gets only four-five tonnes of seafood every day, in place of the usual 100–130 tonnes a day
> Fish from Karnataka and Kerala are consumed during this time. However, since local availability is limited, it pushes up the prices
What do the fishermen want?
> Each fisherman is paid Rs. 2,000 (which amounts to Rs. 44.44/day per family) by the State government as assistance during the ban
> Fishermen want the allowance to be increased to at least Rs. 100 a day. They also want the Central government to provide assistance
> They also want the ban period to be shifted to Oct.-Nov.-Dec. They want more artificial reefs and want fish seedlings to be let into the sea during the ban
> In Kerala, CMFRI had recently suggested the ban be implemented in two phases of 30 days each
Season special
Fish prices have been high from January as the catch has been poor, say fishermen. The prices are expected to go up by another 30 per cent
Variety | Wholesale rates (in Rs./kg) In Jan.This week |
Sear fish (vanjiram) (export first quality) | 630 | 700 |
Sear fish (second quality) | 415 | 500 |
Japanese thread bream (sankara) | 100 | 150 |
Barracuda (sheela) | 160 | 230 |
Black pomfret | 280 | 370 |
Anchovy (nethili) | 140 | 170 |
Crab | 110 | 160 |
Tiger prawns | 1,100 | 1,200 |
White prawns | 340 | 420 |
QUOTE:
E. Vivekanandan, consultant, CMFRI:
If there is a consensus among all the fishermen, the ban period can be shifted to Oct.-Nov.-Dec. They can make a representation to the Central and State governments. Earlier, the fishermen of the east coast had opted for the ban at this time, which is why it is being implemented in April-May.
State/U.T. | Year of introduction | Ban period | No. of days |
Gujarat | 1998-99 | June 10-Aug. 15 | 67 |
Maharashtra | 1990 | June 10-Aug. 15 | 67 |
Daman & Diu | June 1-Aug. 15 | 75 | |
Goa | 1989 | June 10-Aug. 15 | 67 |
Karnataka i) Dakshina Kannada | 1989 | June 15-Aug. 10 | 57 |
ii) Uttara Kannada | June 15-July 31 | 45 | |
Kerala | 1988 | June 15-July 31 | 47 |
Tamil Nadu & Puducherry | 2001 | April 15-May 31 | 47 |
Andhra Pradesh | 2000 | April 15-May 31 | 47 |
Odisha | 2000 | April 15-June 15 | 60 |
West Bengal | 1995 | April 15-May 31 | 47 |
