The fishing industry in Chennai is facing a crisis, as the tuna catch this year has drastically decreased, putting a strain on the export market for both tuna and squid. Trawler owners at the Kasimedu fishing harbor are expressing concern over this significant drop in catch.
According to S V Raghu Sekar, a trawler owner, the war in Ukraine and Palestine, coupled with the threat of piracy, have significantly impacted exports. Tuna from Kasimedu was previously exported to various countries including Tunisia, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, China, and North African nations, where it was canned and sold. Squid was mainly exported to European countries, where it enjoyed high demand.
The reduced catch has led to a dramatic price decline. V Balaji, another trawler owner, shared that last year during the same period, tuna was selling at a price of ₹150 per kg. This year, however, the price has plummeted to ₹70 per kg. Similarly, squid, which sold for ₹350 per kg last year, now costs ₹290 per kg.
The decline in catch is impacting the livelihoods of fishermen and the overall fishing industry. Sekar highlighted that Kasimedu’s fleet of around 1,000 deep-sea fishing boats and trawlers used to bring in approximately 1,000 tonnes of tuna every month. Now, they are only managing to catch less than half of that quantity. Many trawlers and deep-sea vessels are now anchored at the harbor due to the dwindling catch.
This year, fishermen are having to sail further afield, beyond Visakhapatnam, in search of tuna, with disappointing results. Last year, tuna was easily found in marine waters closer to Chennai harbor. Despite the challenges, many trawler and deep-sea fishing boat owners are persevering. “We are hopeful for better catch and better prices in the future,” said Sekar. “It’s with this hope that fishing activities are continuing at the harbor.”
The decline in tuna catch is a serious issue for the fishing industry in Chennai, and it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming months. The economic impact of this crisis on the fishing community and the export market is significant and requires immediate attention.
