It146;s a double whammy for Gujarat seafood industry

It has been a double whammy for the state8217;s seafood industry. While the seafood processors and fishermen were yet to recover the losses incurred in the wake of the global financial crisis, the terror attack in Mumbai has added to their woes.

It has been a double whammy for the state8217;s seafood industry. While the seafood processors and fishermen were yet to recover the losses incurred in the wake of the global financial crisis, the terror attack in Mumbai has added to their woes.

According to figures provided by the Federation of Indian Export Organisation, the marine export from Gujarat, which accounts for foreign exchange of over Rs 900 crore, has registered a 20 per cent decline in September and October this year in comparison to the last year.

Exporters are finding themselves in thick of a tough time. 8220;Terror attacks have proved deadly for us, too, when we were busy negotiating deals in the wake of the meltdown,8221; said Jagdish Fofandi, secretary, Gujarat Sea Food Exporters.

He added: 8220;Due to the falling export orders, by December 15 the seafood processing industry, which directly employs 15,000 people, is set to see a retrenchment by 50 per cent.8221;

Now, with the security threat looming large over the 1,600-km long coastline of the state, the fishermen are wary to venture into the high sea, where rich and think catch is available.

Jivan Jungi, president, Porbandar Boat Association, said: 8220;My boat did not go beyond 100 nautical miles from Porbandar on Thursday. Even the catch was less than 50 per cent made when we go beyond 160 nautical miles from Porbandar near Jakhau. The terror threat is affecting our business.8221;

Porbandar8217;s fishing harbour has around 1,200 registered boats, of which, over 30 per cent are rooted in the sand, Jungi said. The result: Fishermen like Lakha Jiva are jobless. 8220;Savitri, for which I have been working for two years, has not been operational for a while. Usually, I make nearly three trips per month, but this month, I am expecting to make just one,8221; said Jiva.

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At Mangrol, with over 1,300 boats, fishermen avoid going into the sea, as the increased traffic makes the trip unprofitable.

8220;Now, most of the boats can be found fishing in the area of 12 to 15 km from Mangrol. The congestion in nearer sea areas is getting so thick that many of the boats have to retune with a very little or no catch at all,8221; said Velji Masani, secretary of the National Fishing Forum.