Bad weather further burdens fishermen who return with almost empty nets
A shortage of fresh fish is seeing consumers pay high prices for small amounts of fish.
Fishermen say they face many hardships going out to see in the prevailing adverse weather conditions. In addition to a poor catch, the high cost of living is hitting them hard.
K.A. Mahinda a fisherman from Elakanda, had just returned after his second attempt for the day. “This is the second time we went out to sea because our first attempt was unsuccessful," he lamented.
Despite experience in reading warning signs of changing weather patterns, the unpredictability of the prevailing northeast monsoon and the resultant sudden shifts in winds have affected their going out to sea.
Adverse weather is the biggest threat to the fisheries industry, says National Fisheries Solidarity Organisation (NAFSO) Convener Herman Kumara. “The strong winds, heavy showers, and strong waves, along with the sea currents, cause boats to lose direction when anchored at sea while driving fish away from the nets,” he said.
The value-added Added Tax (VAT) on frozen bait, fish hooks, rods, reels, fishing tackle, and marine propulsion engines has added burdens on the fishermen’s shoulders.
Most fishermen have not been able to even cover the cost of going to sea. “In Negombo, there are about 50 multi-day fishing trawlers that remain anchored as the fishermen cannot afford to go out to sea,” Mr. Kumara said.
D. Noel, a fisherman who was on his way to Negombo to cast his nets into deep waters for his first catch for the new year, said that it costs about Rs. 25,000.
The further increase in fuel prices since January has forced many fishermen to run their boats on kerosene rather than petrol. “It is much cheaper this way," said Noel’s fishing partner,
M. D. Lal.
Some fishermen, like Mahinda from Elakanda, have turned to paddling instead of running the motor boat because they are unable to afford fuel. “Our income doesn’t even cover the cost of groceries, so we can’t afford fuel,” he says.
Fishermen also allege that the middleman who purchases fish from them sells it for a higher price, somehow making a profit. “We sacrifice a lot to go to sea. The strong winds hurt our eyes, but we have to stay awake throughout the night despite this, but the middleman earns 100–200 rupees more than us,” they complained.
Janaka Perera, a middleman who buys fish in bulk, said that he used to purchase 20–30 kilos of fish for about Rs. 20,000. “With the implementation of the VAT, it has increased to about Rs. 30,000," he said.
While confirming that he does make a profit of Rs. 100–150, he said other middlemen charge double the price as he does.
The women in the fishing community are engaged in various occupations to ease the burden.
“Times are hard. I have three children who are in school. On top of this, thunderstorms have disrupted our livelihood,” said Champika Kularathne, the wife of a fisherman in Ambalangoda. who works as a housemaid to ease the burden.