Fishing in Palk Bay has become a gamble for Rameswaram fishermen. Each boat owner spends about Rs. 50, 000 on diesel, ice, food and salary per trip and the catch should be a minimum 80 kg of prawns to break even. A sum of Rs 30,000 is spent on subsidised diesel, Rs. 5,000 on ice, oil and ration for the crew and another Rs. 15,000 on salary to the driver and five workers. After making the investment “they risk their lives to earn Rs 10,000,” says P. Sesu Raja, leader of fishermen association.
In the absence of an auction centre, cold storage facility and government intervention, there are prawn exporters form cartels who fix the prices and the fishermen hardly get Rs. 500 per kg, he says.
The boat owner, after meeting all expenses, could earn Rs. 10,000 if the crew manages to catch a minimum 80 kg of prawns, apart from crabs and other fish species after remaining in the sea for about 30 hours, says Mr. Raja, a boat owner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite facing the huge risk of getting arrested and losing their vessels, fishermen continue fishing as they have no alternative livelihood. At least ten families depend on a boat for their livelihood in the island, he adds.