December 30, 2004

Indian Shrimp Exports Severely Affected By Tsunami

India's fishing industry, especially the export of shrimps and other varieties, could be badly hit by the damage to thousands of mechanized boats and country craft in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh due to tsunami in the region. The damage may cost up to Rs 200 crore, according to a top official of the fisheries department.

Even if the damaged mechanised boats, costing about Rs 10 lakh each, were repaired, it would take three to six months for the fishing industry, wrecked by the tsunami, to recover, Mr Ramakrishna, a scientist, said.

"It is not only boats. Many fishermen have died and those who survived have lost their boats," he said, and urged the finance ministry to prepare a loan package to help restart the industry, which earns about Rs 2,500 crore in foreign exchange.

Mr Ramakrishna said lending money for the industry would be profitable, as boats had been heavily damaged, not only in India, but in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and many other coastal areas as well. "As fishermen in the Cuddalore-Nagapattinam belt had to start from scratch, they need more help," he said.

He also expected migration of fishermen, especially laborers working for boat owners, to other districts. However he did not expect any depletion in the fish population in the palk straits due to tsunami.

Fisheries department officials expect a steep hike in the price of fish in the coming months, as there will be demand from countries which were buying fish from tsunami-hit nations like Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

"The earlier we restart fishing, the better will be the prospects in the local market and abroad," they said. The officials also suggested setting up a special loan package to help fishermen repair their boats or go for new ones. The government, which is taking up relief work, should accord priority to fishermen in coastal areas.

Meanwhile reports from fish markets across Tamil Nadu said that there were few takers for sea-fish after the tsunami.