Deep-sea trawlers set sail on hopes of better shrimp catch

Survival of country's trawler industry depends on this fishing season, say experts

The deep-sea fishing trawler industry is pinning high hopes on the current fishing season to bail them out from troubled waters. Already, the industry is groaning under neck-deep financial troubles following poor catch and low shrimp prices during the last season.

Since the end of the 45-day fishing holiday on June 1 in the entire east coast, most of the deep-sea fishing trawlers have set out on their voyage on the high seas.

Visakhapatnam is the headquarters for the deep-sea fishing industry in the country. Out of a total of 55 trawlers in the country, 52 trawlers operate from the fishing harbour here, two are located in Chennai and one at Paradip port.

"By June 7, around 95 per cent of the trawlers have left the shores for fishing. Around Rs 5 lakh is spent on each trawler to be fit for the fishing voyage," T N Chodhary, secretary of Association of Indian fishery Industry (AIFI), told Business Standard.

During the last fishing season, trawler companies lost a minimum of Rs 50 lakh and up to Rs 70 lakh on each trawler because of poor catch and a steep fall in shrimp purchase prices.

"After the 45-day fishing holiday, they had sent their vessels again hoping on a huge shrimp catch," he said.

"However, initial reports reaching here from the trawlers which left on June 1 and 2 say the situation is not very encouraging. The trawlers are getting only 200-300 kg of shrimp per day. If this situation persists, the trawler industry will be in dire straits," Chodhary said.

"As it is," Chodhary said, "the deep sea fishing industry is in a precarious state. Already 10 vessels have been surrendered to a mid sea bunkering operator for non-payment of their oil dues. Another 10 trawler owners owe dues of around Rs 1 crore to the oil supplier. Most of the trawler owners have taken required material on credit basis and sent their vessels for voyage. If the first voyage fails, there will be no further voyage prospects for them," he said.

Operational expenditure on a 20-day voyage is around Rs 12 lakh for each trawler. If shrimp catches are below 300 kg per day, the earning will be in the range of Rs 7.5-9 lakh depending on the shrimp price. Each trawler operator will lose around Rs 3 lakh on a 20-day voyage.

"We expect some good shrimp catches in the coming days. If this season also fails, the deep-sea fishing industry may cease to operate in the country," he said.