Around 90% of boats were anchored before the end of the season in ports of Mangaluru, Malpe and Gangolli due to increase in diesel prices, fall in yield of fish and shortage of labourers.
However, the remaining 10% of the boats which are still fishing in deep waters are getting bumper fish yield because of the turmoil in the sea arising due to last week’s rain and storm.
Around 1.5 tonnes of Octopus fish resembling local Bondas is being caught by every boat. This is getting exported at Rs 200 per kg. Chemman fish is being sold to the fish meal industry at Rs 30 per kg, mackerel at Rs 80 to 150 per kg and king fish at Rs 800 per kg.
According to fish merchant Basha, the last phase of this year’s fishing season is giving enormous amount of fish catch.
Most of the boats were anchored in the first week of May itself due to the financial crisis. Labourers of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and North India have left to their native places. Fishing season for this year will end on May 31. The next season will start in August.
There are 1,134 Purseine and Trawl boats in Dakshina Kannada district. Gilnet and traditional boats number about 1,396 and 531 respectively.
In Malpe there are 1723 Pursiene and Trawl boats, while there are 1944 Gilnet boats and 861 traditional boats.
In Gangolli there are 355 Purseine and Trawl boats. Gilnet boats number 2266 and traditional boats are 1124 in number.