With demand for sardines spiralling in Kerala, fishermen at the Puducherry harbour have hit a bonanza with a catch of fish selling for prices ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending on the market variations.
The sardines which are found in waters around three to fours away from the coastline are caught using the purse seine net (surukku valai). An average boat is 30 feet in length and 4 feet wide with a depth of 1 and quarter depth. “The demand is highest in Kerala where the sardine is believed to have good medicinal properties. Due to its oil content, sardines are also used to make fish oil,” said M. Govindaraj, secretary of the Puducherry Deep Sea Fishing Boat Owners Association.
Mangalapuram is another market where sardines are in demand. Price of the catch depends on market prices, the demand spikes in Kerala and the quality.
Fishermen in Puducherry go out in groups and share their catch as around 50 fishermen are required for using the large purse seine net. As Chennai enforces a strict ban on the purse seine net, fishermen from Puducherry and Cuddalore have benefited, added Mr. Govindaraj. As sardines do not stay fresh long, the fishermen call it a day depending on inputs from the coast on the demand. Small fibre boats supply the demand in the local Puducherry market, said Mr. Govindaraj.
