Fisherfolk rue lack of facilities for export of large catch of much sought after fish

Despite abundant resources, presence of a major fishing harbour, and the largest fish landing centre in A.P., the fisherfolk, operating from Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, are far from happy. The lack of cold storages, processing and marketing facilities are coming in the way of their reaping the benefits.

With a capacity to accommodate 2,208 fishing vessels, including 675 mechanised boats, 1,303 motorised boats and 230 traditional crafts, Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, is one of the major fishing harbours in India and the largest landing centre in A.P.

“We are getting very good catch of tuna. The US tariff hike and lack of facilities for storage has hit our earnings. We appeal to the government to provide value addition training to fishers and creating awareness among consumers on the benefits of tuna to promote consumption in the local market,” says Arjilli Dasu, executive director of an NGO — Fishing Community Organisation Network (FISHCON), Visakhapatnam.

The landing information data collected by Fisheries Scientist at the Fishery Survey of India (FSI), Visakhapatnam Zonal Base, GVA Prasad has revealed the presence of abundant stocks of tuna and allied fish resources within 40 to 60 nautical miles off Visakhapatnam coast.

Yellowfin tuna commands prices between ₹800 and ₹1,000, a kg, in Japan, while in India the price ranges between ₹130 and ₹180. Large tunas can weigh between 80 kg and 110 kg, while the average weight is around 30 kg.

“Brokers are buying the catch from the fishermen and sending the stocks by insulated vans to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, where there are better processing and marketing facilities, apart from greater awareness among the local people on the nutritional benefits of tuna. There are around 120 mechanised boats, operating from the Fishing Harbour, and around 40 boats from Peda Jalaripeta, which depend on tuna fishing,” says Pola Rao, a fisherman of Peda Jalaripeta in the city.

“Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on an average receives around 150 tonnes of tuna every day, followed by Kakinada Harbour with around 100 tonnes a day. The Fish Landing Centre at Pudimadaka and the Machilipatnam Harbour also receive substantial stocks,” Mr. Prasad, who had collected the data, told The Hindu.

“Based on our studies, we release ‘Resource Information Series’ booklets apart from conducting awareness meetings and workshops on handling, preservation and modern fishing techniques in the fisher villages to educate the fishermen on the availability of resources,” says Mercantile Marine Engineer of the FSI-Visakhapatnam C. Dhanunjaya Rao.