KOLLAM: As boats started returning from the sea after fishing, marking the end of the 47-day trawling ban, harbours in the state are in a festive mood. In the biggest fish landing site of Kollam, fishers shared their joy as they got shoals of shrimpfish that fetched money ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 for the medium sized boats on their first day. The mechanised trawlers from Neendakara and Sakthikulangara twin harbours went to deep seas after the ban by Sunday midnight. They sold shrimpfish at Rs 3,000 per basket here.
This has marked a decrease in fish prices compared to last season. The fishermen expect to get consistent catch of shrimps in the coming week. The boats that sailed to deep seas will return only after five to seven days with their catch. The other state boats are also among those operating from the harbours in Kollam.
The harbours across the state were all set to welcome the new fishing season even two days before the end of trawling ban. During the ban, small fishing vessels not equipped with trawling nets landed fish in the harbours of Vadi, Thangasseri, and Puthenthura. Apart from shrimpfish, threadfin bream, tuna and sharks were among major catches here.
