In Andhra Pradesh, fishing turned non-remunerative

- Ever rising diesel prices

- Growing demand for vannamei shrimp

- Fall in demand for tiger shrimp from sea

Visakhapatnam: Even before the annual fishing holiday came into force for two months on the East Coast from the midnight of April 14 as part of efforts for conservation of dwindling catch of export-centric shrimp and other seafood resources, boat operators across Andhra Pradesh imposed a ban from November 2022 itself as they were incurring enormous losses on fishing voyages.

“We have shut down our operations in Visakhapatnam, Kalingapatnam, Kakinada, Bhavanapadu, Machilipatnam and other parts for want of remunerative price as the revenue we earn after a voyage is not enough to meet our expenses,” Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association president Ch Satyanarayana Murthy told Bizz Buzz.

The situation is very disappointing as the prices of diesel have been increasing continuously. Diesel is a major raw material for running the engines of mechanised boats. “On an average, for a full voyage we need to spend Rs 3 lakh towards fuel and expenses towards engaging the crew whereas, the return is less than our investment,” he pointed out.

Another important reason which has put the traditional fishermen in deep trouble is the growing demand for vannamei (whiteleg shrimp), an exotic species. It is cultivated in large quantities in Bhimavaram, Nellore, Krishna and other parts of Andhra Pradesh due to low investment and high returns. As a result, exporters are not picking up tiger shrimp captured from the sea from the fishermen in the local market forcing them to sell it in the domestic market.

Murthy said the government is giving about Rs 6 per litre towards reimbursement of subsidy towards diesel purchase instead of Rs 22 being collected from them. As part of government policy to encourage fishing, the government allows subsidy for purchase of 3,000 litres per month to mechanised boats and 500 litres for small boat operators.

Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, which is being developed into a world-class harbour with the sanction of Rs 150 crore by the central government, is a major hub for exports. Visakhapatnam is a major seafood landing centre and played a key role in India’s exports of 1.36 million MT of seafood during 2021-22 earning, an all-time high revenue of $7.76 billion. In next two years, India aims to achieve a turnover of $14 billion with sustained growth of three per cent.

“The situation is very alarming. We are unable to meet our ends and are being forced to sell our boats,” Yellaji, a boat owner hailing from Pudimadaka said. He said though the government is giving Rs 10,000 to fish workers as compensation in lieu of loss of livelihood during the annual fishing ban, the boat owners are not getting anything.

Arjili Dasu, general secretary of National Fisherfolk Forum, said the government should extend the benefit of cash compensation to fish vendors, fishermen making dry fish, net-weavers, boat-makers and ice and fish pushcart-pullers. He said they also eke out a living from fishing and the ban adversely hits their livelihood.

On an average, for a full voyage we need to spend Rs 3 lakh towards fuel and expenses towards engaging the crew whereas, the return is less than our investment

- Ch Satyanarayana Murthy, president, Dolphin Boat Operators’ Welfare Association, tells Bizz Buzz