Off the menu

Paradip, Aug. 22: Hilsa, a culinary delicacy, has disappeared from diners’ menu with drastic slide in yield of the fish.

For reasons unknown, there has been abysmally low catch of these fish species during this monsoon, leading to its steep price rise.

One kilogram of hilsa is being sold for Rs 800-1,000 in Paradip and adjoining marketplaces. The price tag has reached prohibitive proportions in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Good-sized hilsas are being sold at a higher price. Buying hilsa has become a luxury which the fish lovers could hardly afford.

The drop in hilsa yield has upset marine fishermen in and around Paradip. Those who had pinned their hopes on bountiful catch and steady monetary return are left thoroughly disappointed.

“The catch this year is negligible. Daily catch was at least 20 times higher last year. We are contending with the diminishing yield with the hope of better yield in the coming days,” said Narayan Haldar, president, Odisha State Traditional Marine Fish-Workers’ Union.

“It’s now being sold at Rs 800-1,000 per kilogram depending on its size and weight. The price is exorbitant. It is not within the affordable range of middle class and lower-middle class buyers. So, the limited catch are mostly being dispatched to state capital and Cuttack city,” said Atmaram Rout, a Paradip-based hilsa trader.

“Hilsa yield has made a nosedive this year. It is a matter of concern as traditional marine fishermen from lower economic background are being mostly affected by this,” said Rabi Narayan Pattnaik, assistant director of fisheries, Paradip.

“Last year saw 625 tonnes of hilsa yield from Paradip and adjoining Kendrapara district, while it has drastically dropped down to an estimated 50 tonnes this year. Still, we are hopeful that things would brighten up in the coming months,” Pattnaik said.

“The fisheries-regulated economy of the region has taken a severe beating for variety of factors. The seven-month-long prohibition (November 1 to May 31) on marine fishing has affected our livelihood. Sea fishing is now suspended in Paradip fishing harbour for dispute over price fixation with exporters. Now, the drop in hilsa yield has aggravated our plight,” said Radhashyam Mandal, a traditional sea fisherman.

Hilsa is a sensitive fish variety. Its breeding ground is mostly concentrated in the confluence of river and oceanic waters. After being bred in fresh water, the fish makes its way to seawater again by undertaking a return journey to confluence points.

The drop in hilsa yield has come as a major threat to the livelihood of over 5,000 fishermen in these parts. Besides the fishermen, daily earning of the weavers of fishing nets, traders, trading agents, ice factory owners has waned.

Experts believe that erratic monsoon has resulted in disappearance of hilsa species.

“As the discharge of water into sea is on a lower side because of fall in water level in rivers, the migration behaviour of hilsa has been disturbed. The fish have not migrated to seawater on expected line. Once the water level rises in rivers, things would brighten,” said Pattnaik.