There Is a Catch as Fishermen Resume Fishing in Rameswaram

RAMESWARAM: Rameswaram fishermen who resumed fishing after the fishing ban was lifted, were happy as they caught 200 kg to 500 kg of shrimp. But it was the price that they were paid for it that was worrisome for them.

To protect the declining marine resources in Tamil Nadu and to increase the disappearing fish resource, the government bans fishing by motorboats in the sea for 60 days from April 15 to June 14, the annual fish breeding season.

Motorboat fishermen who go fishing after the 60-day ban also eagerly welcome the ban and participate in it as more fish will be available to them after the period.

After the 60-day ban, fishermen from Rameswaram put out to sea in more than 500 boats on Monday.

Despite the hardships of rising prices of diesel and fishing gear, the fishermen were happy to see a large catch of about 200 kg to 500 kg of prawns per boat, 100 to 200 kg of crabs, and many other valuable fish.

However, the fishermen were in great confusion as the traders formed a syndicate and bought the fish, including shrimp and crab that the fishermen caught, without telling them the price.

Anticipating that something like this would happen, the fishermen had already requested the Central and State governments to intervene and take steps to ensure that the fishermen get a fair price for their catch.

Since no action has been taken in this regard, the fishermen are waiting anxiously, not knowing whether today’s catch is a loss or profit.