CHENNAI: It was back to business at Kasimedu on Sunday, after the fishing ban was lifted at midnight on May 29
Apart from sea food lovers, who heaved a sigh of relief, it was time for retailers like Raghavendran to cheer, as he no longer has to visit Maduravoyal, from where he was procuring fish during the sabbatical.
“I was procuring fish from fishermen from Kerala and Gujarat. The fish was big and costly as well,” says Raghavendran.
“The Sunday catch indicates that the fish is comparatively cheap and will get cheaper in course when the catch goes up,” he adds.
Rani, a casual labourer who also runs a small shop, adds that she had to rely on money lenders, as business became dormant during the ban. She adds that was hoping for the best since the ban was lifted.
“My father, who sells ice, couldn’t earn anything during the ban and he forced me to pawn my jewels,” she says.
The boat owners too are a happy lot, as they can now make the best out of the situation. Gopi, a boat owner, who has been a prominent player in the Sunday market, says that he has returned with about four tonnes of fish.
“I was expecting something more than five tonnes. However, I am happy that I could settle with better prices,” he adds.
Usually, the regular catch at Kasimedu is anywhere between 100 and 110 metric tonnes (mt). It had dipped to less than 10 tonnes during the spawning ban.
“The catch on Sunday accounted for around 50 tonnes. The mechanised boats using gill nets for fishing will start venturing into the sea from Sunday night and it will bridge the gap in the regular catch,” he says.
The mechanised boats with better power are expected to return to berth at the harbour from Wednesday.
The prices of seer (vanjiram), pomfret (vaavval), trevally (paarai), shark (sura), red-snapper (sankara), prawns (iraal-tiger, golden and white) are expected to dip in due course.