Pulasa fish arrives in Godavari: A seasonal delicacy faces threat from overfishing

RAJAHMUNDRY: As the flood water entering the river Godavari, the highly prized fish, Pulasa started to enter the river from the sea for breeding. It is most sought after seasonal delicacy which is available between July to September.

The fish is known for its unique taste, tender flesh, and rich flavour, attributed to the pristine water of Godavari river and rich diet of the fish. There is saying that people even sell Mangala Sutram (A thread is knotted around the bride’s neck and is worn by her for the remainder of her marriage) to taste Pulasa fish.The first Pulasa of this season was trapped in the net of fishermen Gouthami Godavari branch of Godavari in the Union Territory of Yanam.

The auction was held at the Pushkar ghat. A local fisherwoman, Ponnamanda Ratnam purchased the fish at hefty price of Rs 15,000. There is no boundary for the happiness of fishermen as the flow of Pulasa fish has begun early and they are hopeful of getting richer by this famous fish.Now a day, the Pulasa fish is becoming rare commodity due to over exploitation. The fish will get tasty and health after eating plankton which are a diverse group of organisms that live in aquatic environments and they are abundant at estuarines.

Aster consuming the plankton, Pulasa will become rich in omega algae oil and strong. The fish will become tastier by the distance it travels from the sea into the river for reproduction.

Pulasa with more roe(fish eggs) will be more testier and also costlier. Most of the people mad about the Pulasa with more eggs and they pay any amount to get it.Talking to the TOI, In-Charge Joint Director, Fisheries, Konaseema, L.B.S Vardhan said that said that the number of Pulasa is dwindling due to over exploitation for the sake of money.

He said the fishwermen are after the prized fish from Yanam which is near the sea mouth. Later, the fish is being caught at Kotipalli and Dowllaiswaram barrage. He observed that the reproduction of Pulasa will be concluded successfully after it travels much distance and the new breed of fish will be strong and great in number.

Unfortunately, the journey of this legendary fish is coming to an end abruptly and most of the fish are not lucky enoud to swim back to the Bay of Bengal.Why the Pulasa fish only confined to river Godavari only. The answer is no other river Krishna will not get that much of flood waters at the sea mouth.