Over 60 per cent of the mechanised fishing boats are lying idle in the state due to lack of catches.
The boat operators, who stated operations from June 1 after the 47-day fishing holiday, have lost about Rs 2 lakh on each boat during the last two months because of low catches, said PC Appa Rao, president, AP Mechanised Boat Operators Welfare Association.
Shrimp was the most discouraging of all and prices offered by exporters too were very less, he added.
About 650 mechanised boats operate from the Visakhapatnam fishing harbour, of which about 450 are now out of business. In all, about 2,000 mechanised boats operate in Andhra Pradesh from Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Nizampatnam, Krishnapatnam and Vadarevu.
“Earlier we used to get 400-500 kg shrimp in 15 days and a minimum 1.5 tonne fish, but this season boat operators have got only 100-150 kg shrimp and 1-1.5 tonne fish,” he said.
Also, exporters used to pay on average Rs 200 per kg shrimp, but this year they are offering only Rs 120-130 per kg. Moreover, they are not taking products as acqua farmers are offering Vanami shrimp at a cheap price.
He said fish prices were better in June and July as Kerala traders picked up stock from the state. However, from August, fishing had started in Kerala and therefore, traders would not come here.
Pollution created by local pharma units, thermal power and other industries is affecting the marine life, he said.
However, from the last couple of days a few boat operators are again trying their luck by venturing into the sea as rains during the last few days would help increase fish reserves, Rao said.
