Trawlers and mechanised boat operators, engaged in Tuna fishing, expect more than 100 per cent hike in revenues with the introduction of air cargo movement from Visakhapatnam to international destinations.
"Tuna fish operators at present sell their products to Chennai and Kochi traders at cheap rates due to lack of international connective. But now, with the introduction of air cargo movement from Visakhapatnam to Singapore and Dubai, we will get good price," YGK Murthy, president, Association of Indian Fishery Industry (AIFI), told Business Standard.
About 50 trawlers and 300 mechanised boats got converted from shrimp to Tuna fishing here after the Marine Productions Exports Development Authority (Mpeda) announced a subsidy of 50 per cent on the conversion cost. The Tuna fishing season is between October and March but December to February is the peak time. During this six months, each trawler on average can catch about 60 tonnes and each mechanised boat 25 tonne.
"Kochi and Chennai traders pay just Rs 120-130 for a kg of 'A' grade Tuna . Other countries offer up to Rs 500 per kg for the same grade," Murthy said. Japan and the US are the main international markets for Tuna exports. He said if operators could send their catch to Singapore daily from Vizag, it would reach Japan and the US in no time. The Singapore flight currently has a carrying capacity of about 4.5 tonnes a week.
The AIFI is planning to take a processing plant on a lease basis. It also plans to process and export the material on a daily basis to Japan and the US.
