Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Apr 14: Increase in the prices of diesel and non-availability of fish in deep sea has caused fishermen not to venture into the sea. Famine of fish has hit the fishing industry in the top season of April and May.

At the end of May, mechanized boating needs to be stopped as it is the breeding time of fishes. So the fishermen try to catch maximum fish during April and May and earn as much as possible. However, now even if the fishermen get into sea after putting costly diesel to the boat, they are not getting a good catch of fish.

Representational image

Fishermen of Malpe, Gangolli and Maravanthe have literally stopped fishing. For the past two weeks, the boats that are going into the deep sea are returning without getting sufficient quantities of fish. The fish catch is not enough to even bear the diesel cost of the boat.

The price of meat is already very high. Fish lovers are not able to eat fish due to famine in the deep sea. So far one kg of mackerels used to cost Rs 100. Now it is shot up to Rs 120 to Rs 140. King fish cost has gone up by Rs 700. Pomfret used to cost Rs 900 per kg. Now it has shot up to Rs 1,200. Prawns cost Rs 400 per kg.

Fishermen are in a dilemma how to continue their livelihood as they are hard hit on both ends due to the fuel prices and non-availability of fish in deep sea.