Kendrapara: Madhusudan Das, 54, a fisherman of seaside Kharanashi village, is a worried man. The reason: the fish catch is decreasing by the day and is not commensurate with the expenses he incurs in venturing into the sea along with his crew.
According to Das, marine fishermen get only four months in a year to catch fish in the Bay of Bengal as there is a ban on fishing activities for the remaining eight months in view of the nesting season of Olive Ridley sea turtles and the fish breeding season.
This makes the four-month period (July to October) crucial for the fishermen as far as their annual income is concerned, Das said.
However, most of the time due to rough weather, cyclonic atmosphere and depression in the Bay of Bengal, the fishermen fail to venture into the sea, he added.
On top of it, the dwindling catch of fish has been giving them sleepless nights, Das lamented.
“What shall we do to feed our families? Last year too, the fish catch was not encouraging. But this year, it has decreased a lot,” said Tusar Sardar, the secretary of Maa Ramchandi Boat Owners’ Association.
During this time of the year, the fishing jetty at Kharanashi always remained abuzz with activities.
But now, the jetty is crammed with fishing boats as if they are not wanted anymore due to the dwindling of fish catch, it was learnt.
Anatha Bandhu Das, a trawler owner, said, “Fish catch, especially Hilsa, goes up in the sea when there is a low pressure during this time. But this year, the monsoon playing truant has led to reduced catch of Hilsa.”
Under these circumstances, fisherman are not taking the risk of venturing into the sea with their mechanised boats as in all likelihood they have to incur loss due to the dwindling fish catch.
“Last year, the fish catch was less due to an erratic monsoon. Fish catch reduces due to several factors, including change in climate, current and wind pattern and migration pattern of fish,” assistant director of marine fishery department, Kujanga, Manas Ranjan Sahu. PNN
