With sudden cold waves, the demand for crabs in the coastal city surged significantly but the chilly weather also reduced the catch of crabs due to which its price has jumped by Rs 200 per dozen to Rs 800-900, said fishermen, here on Saturday.
"Supply of crabs is too low as compared to its soaring demand during the fresh onslaught of cold waves in the metropolis as people have increased their seafood intake," fishermen said.
Similarly, price of shellfish also went up due to same effects of weather by Rs 200 per dozen to Rs 650 at some points at the shoreline of Kemari, said President Bona Fide Fishermen and Boat Owners Association, Asif Bhatti.
The decrease in catch by 50 percent, he attributed to cold weather condition of the dull sea, saying the fishermen were uncomfortable to voyage for too long to exploit the seafood because of the desolate seabed. He said around 50,000 dozen of crabs is landing at present, which in normal conditions could be bigger in volume.
"Around 70 percent of small fishing boats are moored at the cost, while the rest are floating on the sea for catch," he said, adding that the operational boats continue to inform the resting fishermen about the reduced existence of the fish and crab via mobile phones or VHF systems. He said about 6 to 12 crew members were normally aboard on a small sized fishing boat, which tends generally towards the Sir Creek sea border and fishing within 10 nautical miles inside the unmarked maritime limits of the country close to India.
However, the fishermen working on big size wooden boats said the long-trip vessel would continue their explorations on the sea close to Iran's sea despite the hostile weather conditions. "No boat because of the weather harshness has returned to the moorage so far," they said.
Bhatti said some boats grab the catch near Manora Island. He said local demand amongst the affluent class of the society is seen growing along with the rest of the society these days, hoping the price of crabs would rise in coming days.