Late start, lean haul: Nadadoni fishers feel the pinch

Mangaluru: After a 15-day delay, traditional (nadadoni) fishermen ventured into the sea Sunday but returned with a modest catch, heightening concerns over an uncertain fishing season and rising operational costs.Around 60 traditional boats set out at about 6am after wave intensity subsided. Fishermen returned mainly with prawns and false trevally (ademeen), with the catch per boat valued between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000.Last year, nadadoni fishermen began fishing around mid-June and recorded a good catch. Ashwath, president, Karavali Mula Meenugarara Sanghatane and a nadadoni operator, said the situation was markedly different this year.“The monsoon has been delayed and conditions have not been favourable for fishing. There has been no proper rain, strong winds or major sea storm, and we are unsure about fish availability,” he said.Traditional boats from Mangaluru operate up to 5.4–6.5 nautical miles, or around 10–12km, west of the coast. Their fishing range extends south to Manjeshwar and north to Padubidri or Kaup, he said.Ashwath said reports of another storm around July 20 have added to the uncertainty.

“If another storm hits and the catch remains low, it will affect us badly. After July 31, purse seine and deep-sea fishing operations begin, which will further bring down our earnings,” he said.Most fishermen caught prawns, besides small varieties such as mullet. “We are waiting for mackerel and sardines, which have good demand,” Ashwath said.Prawns fetched lower prices as fewer buyers turned up for the auction.

A good catch, however, also helps consumers as increased supply brings down prices, he said.Ashwath said a day’s catch per boat was valued at around Rs 50,000 last year, but earnings have dropped significantly this year. Fuel costs have risen from about Rs 7,000 to Rs 13,000 per 100 litres, while fuel, labour and transportation expenses eat into a major share of earnings.Govardhan, another nadadoni fisherman, said his catch was valued at around Rs 25,000 and consisted mainly of false trevally. “We are hoping for a better catch in the coming days,” he said.