The Rameswaram fishermen who were on strike protesting against low prices offered by export companies for prawn and ‘kanavai’ after forming a ‘syndicate’ have struck an agreement with the export companies and decided to resume fishing from Wednesday.
After more than 4,000 fishermen went on strike since June 6 protesting against four export companies forming ‘syndicate’ and offering low price for the export items, fishermen leaders held talks with the proprietors of the export companies in Tuticorin on Monday and reached an agreement.
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Fishermen leader P. Sesu Raja, who was part of the six-member team, which held talks with the exporters said the owners agreed to enhance the rate to the satisfaction of the fishermen.
“As the talks were satisfactory, we have decided to resume fishing from Wednesday,” Mr. Sesu told The Hindu .
He said the proprietors explained that they could not offer more price for marine water prawns as they get fresh water prawns harvested in prawn farms at the rate of Rs. 400 per kg.
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They exported marine water prawns only to Japan but the export market was presently sluggish in the country.
On the other hand there was more demand for fresh water shrimps in countries such as Taiwan and Indonesia, the exporters told the leaders.
However, when the fishermen leaders said they depended on them to sell the catch in the absence of storage facilities and they spent nearly Rs. 60,000 for a day’s fishing, the proprietors agreed to enhance the price, Mr. Sesu said.
Best price on first day
On the first fishing day, the companies procured prawn at the rate of Rs. 700 to Rs. 750 per kg and ‘kanavai’ at Rs. 150 a kg; but on the second and third day, they reduced the rates by 30 to 40 per cent after forming a syndicate, Mr. Sesu alleged.
He said after the 45-day ban period, the fishermen began the new fishing season with renewed hopes after spending about Rs. One and a half lakh each for refurbishing the boats but continued to face problems.
More than 4,000 fishermen went on strike since June 6 protesting against 4 export companies forming a ‘syndicate’ and offering low price for fish, prawns