KFDC chief bats for ban on fish export from Karnataka to check rising prices

Karwar, Oct 31: In the wake of dropping fish catch and high prices of locally consumed fish, the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) has suggested the State government to impose a temporary ban on fisheries exports from its coastal belt.

The Goa government has stated that it is mulling to temporarily ban fish exports because it has created artificial scarcity in the state. Rajendra Naik, president of KFDC appreciated the move and demanded that export of fish should be temprarily banned in Karnataka too.

Rajendra said that he had taken a similar step about 15 years ago in Ankola when he was the president of Ankola municipality. "Then a resolution was passed by the municipality not to allow loading of fish in trucks carrying them outside Uttara Kannada, Goa and Kerala in all fisheries ports in the area till 1pm every day as there was complaints that the entire catch was being sent outside the district depriving the local people of the nutrient food," he said.

"The same system still continues in Ankola. Fishermen in the state avail subsidy on the boats and fuel which runs into crores of rupees every year. The subsidy is being provided from the taxpayers' money. This being the case, if the fish caught by these fishermen is sent outside by depriving the local people of fish, what is the use of providing subsidy to them? So the government should come out with a policy on fish export and only the excess fish after supplying in the local market should be allowed to export. Those who violate this should be barred from availing subsidy," he said.

Many small fishermen said that they too are the victims of the export lobbies. "We sell our catch to the local fisheries cooperative bodies. The agents of the export companies wait there and buy the same fish at high prices," said Lokesh Tandel a fishermen from Kumta.

"We are the victims of artificial fish shortage created by the export lobbies. The fish left over after supplying to exporters are being sold in local market and that too at a high price. Common people have to pay at least 400% higher prices in Karwar market compared to Ankola. So the government should take steps to curb this artificial shortage," said Shantaram Shet of Karwar.