The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Inflation puts fishermen on a rough tide

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Inflation puts fishermen on a rough tide

— Photo: M. Moorthy

In troubled waters: Kunju, a fisherman, with his wife K. Krishnammal, at Meemisal in Pudukottai preparing the net for fishing.

The rising prices of essential commodities, the hike in the cost of raw materials used for the catch of crabs, the increase in the price of diesel have all gone to add to the woes of the hundreds of fishermen of the coastal Meemisal village in the district.

Meemisal, noted for the catch of high quality and export-oriented crabs, accounts for only seasonal catch that lasts between Vaikasi and Ani in the Tamil almanac, corresponding to mid May and June-end.

Fishermen are sore over the simultaneous problems they have to face in the form of rising prices, fall in the catch of the crabs.

Prices off raw materials needed for proper maintenance of the net and other allied kits have also been registering a serious hike in the past six months, forcing the fishermen to get loans from the wholesale dealers or exporters.

The co-operation from the wholesale dealers and exporters has come as a unique solution for the fishermen to fight inflation, particularly when the catch of the crab is dwindling.

A fisherman, Kunju (65) says that the sudden hike in the prices of diesel has come as a severe blow to him. He needs at least15 litres of fuel for a single trip that is spread over two days.

The nets used for catching the crabs should be stout enough to bear the weight of the crabs.

The weight of each crab is about one to 1.5 kg. But, the cost of net-mesh (termed as ‘maal’) has also shot up in the recent months, from Rs. 230 a kg a few months ago to Rs.330. If not properly maintained, the entire effort of venturing to the sea would be a futile exercise, he says.

He has to invest on coir and the ‘kundu’ which links the net through stout joints. The prices of coir per kg has shot up from Rs. 100 to Rs.130 in the last four months. Mr. Kunju says that but for the timely help from the local wholesale dealers, his financial management would be in doldrums.

His wife, Krishnammal, who assists him in servicing the nets and other accessories, says that all the catch is given to the wholesale dealer, who adjusts the same against the loan taken by the family.

They say that a complete set of fishing accessories could be used for a maximum of three months, beyond which recurring expenses on maintenance or replacement of worn-out parts had to be taken up.

Fall in the catch

Another fisherman, R. Muniasamy who is the president of the Boat-Owners’ Association, says that the irony was that the catch of crabs had dwindled seriously, when the inflation was on its rise.

Previously, he used to catch at least 15 to 20 kg of crabs which fetched attractive returns. Although the price was as low as Rs.60 then, “we could manage with the huge volume of crabs. But now, although the price per kg of crab has shot up to Rs.110, we could harvest only a two or three kg of crabs,” he laments.

The timely intervention by the wholesale dealers or exporters has come as a great relief to the fishermen. “Many fishermen had taken loans to the tune of Rs.10,000 each. We adjust the sum by marketing our catch with them daily,” says Mr. Muniasamy.

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