According to various fisheries cooperative societies operating in coastal Kendrapara and neighbouring Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak districts, the daily output of Hilsa is estimated at more than 20 tonnes in principal fishing commercial centres like Balaramgadi, Chandipur, Talchua, Ramnagar, Kharinasi and Paradip.
While roughly 30 percent of the catch is earmarked for domestic consumption, the rest is diverted to West Bengal and the North-eastern states, where it's a much sought after commodity on the diner's menu.
However, the trends in past years present an almost 50 percent fall in catch. The daily yield, according to fishermen, is not more than two tonnes which is hardly enough to meet even the demands of the local market.
Hilsa is a sensitive fish. And 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 launching a return journey to confluence points.
The state fisheries department sources nevertheless pointed out multiple causes for the drop in Hilsa catch — unabated fishing despite ban during the breeding season in recent years is one of them. As this species is mostly roving in nature, it is easily entangled in nets in the sea and the confluences.
Besides, the effluent released by a Paradip-based private fertilizer plant may also have dealt a lethal blow to the species. As the said plant is located near the Mahanadi mouth, this possibility is more pronounced than any other, sources added.
The trend coincides with the operation of the plant. Local fishermen from this part feel the drop in yield has come as a major threat to their livelihood since the past three years.
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