Soaring diesel prices have offset profits for fishermen despite the winter's low catch is fetching nearly double prices. Unlike last year, a sizeable number of Indian Mackerel is landing this winter, fetching a good sum of Rs 300 per kg as compared to its previous price of Rs 150 per kg, fisheries sources said.
"Crab is not landing while shrimp in a low number," said a fisherman, adding shrimp rates were encouraging despite their low arrival at fisheries. He said there were over 400 boats touring for at least six days on the sea hardly catching 15 to 20 kg of shrimp each of them. "Shrimp called Jaira [golden jumbo] is receiving Rs 850 per kg, which was previously being sold for Rs 650 to Rs 700," he added.
Fishermen didn't want to waste fuel by spending long exploiting voyages to net only shrimps against their insignificant market demand, a seafarer said. He said that the diesel price surge has increased cost, as high-speed diesel was lastly available at Rs 78.33 per litre which from January 1, this year had gone up by Rs 4.25 to Rs 82.58 per litre.
"A big trip boat incurs at least Rs 1,000 to 12,000 per day losses, a medium size boat Rs 5,000 to 8,000 and a small one incurs losses worth Rs 4,000 due to the recent hike in diesel prices," he said. He said that fish catch is low this winter too, but the fishermen were hopeful of earning good sum as there was a huge demand for white-meat fish but the sudden hike in fuel prices left them dejected.
Mackerel big (Surmai) is currently being sold at Rs 800 per kg, which was previously fetching between Rs 550 and Rs 600. The Mackerel small is being sold at Rs 350 to Rs 400 per kg, which was previously available at Rs 200 to Rs 225, he said.
Jew fish (Suwa) is fetching Rs 1,200 per kg, which was lastly available at Rs 700, he said, adding that Jew fish (30 kg per piece) is available at Rs 3,200 up from Rs 1,800, previously. He said Baracodo (Kund) is being sold at Rs 350 per kg up from Rs 220, Red Snapper at Rs 400 per kg up from Rs 350 and Sea Bream Rs 40 per kg up from Rs 12.
The fisherman said there were no attempts being made to trap lobsters and other shrimp species this winter after the fuel prices offset profits for hundreds of seafarers. At least 650 small boats had returned to moorages some days ago due to gusty winter winds, badly affecting their catch.
"Cold weather is not a major concern for fishermen but gusty winds coupled with cold always paralyse their activities," said President Bona Fide Fishermen and Boat Owners Welfare Association, Asif Bhatti. He said that fishermen catch white-meat fish in winter season for their huge demand on the local market.
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