Local fishermen of Chennai have witnessed a sharp plunged in the sales of the fish as the government has announced ban on mechanised deep-sea fishing in the region for 45 days. Theban was started on April 15 and will last till May 31.Under the Tamilnadu Deep-sea Fishing Regulation Act of 2001, trawlers and other mechanized boats are not allowed to go for deep-sea fishing, as this is the peak time for fishes to breed. However, manual fishing boats and catamarans are excluded from the ban.
Sakuntla, a fish-seller at a market, told that they are facing a lot of hardship with the 45-day ban imposed on fishing. she informed that the demand of fish in the market is plenty but the fishermen are unable to sell them because there is no fish. Even it is available, the price is high and buyers return without buying fish. It is only about this ban, if it comes to an end, we could earn something, but till then we have to manage, says Sakuntla.
Consumers complain that no fish is available for less than Rs 200 per kilogram. Syed Ansari, a customer, said that the fish was 100 rupees per kilogram, and now they are asking for 200 to 300 rupees. It is difficult to afford such a high price. The state’s Fishery Department said that they are providing Rs 500 to each fisherman for the season till the ban is lifted.
