The Kerala Paramparagatha Matsya Thozhilali Samithy, representing fishers in the traditional sector, has called on the fishing community to impose upon itself more restrictions and follow physical-distancing norms to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as Ernakulam is seeing massive surge in the pandemic cases. Secretary of the Samithy P.V. Jayan said that even the opening of harbours, even partially, as it is happening now, would help the chances of COVID-19 spread. He said that fishing boats of different sizes manned by two to 45 people are now venturing out, even on a limited level. When they come back to the shore, there is difficulty in following the COVID-19 protocol. At the same time, there is a crisis-like situation in the inland fisheries sector brought about both by the spread of COVID-19 and the deteriorating condition of the backwaters around Kochi. P.N. Babu, convener of the Vembanad Kayal Samrakshana Samithy, said that the backwaters were shrinking. There is a sharp drop in catch, which has accentuated the crisis facing inland fishers in the wake of the spread of the pandemic. He said that there was demand for inland fish from consumers despite the lockdown. But the fish catch had dwindled and the price of fish was going up. Package sought Meanwhile, Charles George of Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedhi claimed that oil sardine landings on the Kerala coast had shrunk to about 35,000 tonnes (provisional figures) during the last financial year.
This is down by more than 10,000 tonnes compared to the previous financial year. “There is a crisis-like situation. The fish drought is serious,” he said as he called on the government to declare a package for the coastal community even as rations and special provision supplies were helping them. The dwindling catch has resulted in the price of all varieties of fish going up sharply. While there is little oil sardine available, what has been passed for the favourite fish in Kerala is the lesser sardine (Karichaala), which is now selling for about Rs. 280 a kg. Shrimp price is up at about Rs. 550 a kg and premium quality seer (king) fish is being sold for over Rs. 1,000 a kg. Mr. Jayan also said that Kochi harbours were being hosting mostly boats coming from outside the district. It is the common practice for fishers come by road to different harbours and then venture out into the sea. However, the practice of crowded buses and transport vehicles increase the risk of COVID-19 spread, he added.
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