Yield of fish affected due to drought:

Fisheries Federation imports fish from neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh

The Karnataka State Co-operative Fisheries Federation Limited to meet the demand of fish consumers is buying river fishes from neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh, as ponds, lakes, river sources have gone dry in district.

The federation was hitherto procuring fishes from the river waters of KRS, Kabini, Hemavathi, Kapila, lakes, ponds in villages was sufficient to manage. But this year with monsoon failure the river sources and majority of the lakes in all seven taluks have gone dry, and are not able to procure fish in sufficient quantities to meet the demand of fish lovers.

The daily demand for fish is six tonnes in urban areas and around 1.2 tonnes in rural areas. But presently the federation is getting only around 2 tonnes of fish locally while the remaining is being bought from neighbouring state. Every week around 60 tonnes of fish is being imported from Andhra Pradesh which has led to a slight increase in prices of fishes. Catla fish which was earlier being sold at Rs 110 - 120 kg is now being sold at Rs 145. There are 122 outlets in State, of which 46 kiosks located in Mysore district.

KSCFF chairman S Madegowda said most people prefer river fishes and reared in ponds, lakes than the sea fish. Fishes like Catla, Common carp, roe are much sought after because of their culinary taste and are also affordable. From Andhra Pradesh we are importing Catla, mrigal carp, and Common carp to meet the demand.

KSCFF chairman S Madegowda said: 'Due to poor yield of fish we are finding hard to meet the increasing demand of fish consumers. From last three months we are not getting 20 per cent of the catch and thus to overcome the shortage we have started importing fishes. The farmers have stopped rearing fishes in ponds which has also contributed to severe drop in supply. The fallout of this the members of Fisheries cooperative society have become jobless and are facing financial problems,' he adds.

Shekhar, who sales fish at a kiosks in Kuvempunagar said: 'There are several instances consumers are sent back with shortage in supply. Most sought fish is catla and we are not able to meet the demand.'

Sources in fisheries department said: 'Most farmers in Andhra Pradesh are rearing Pungus and are reaping profits. As local farmers were motivated to cultivate Catla fish in large quantity, whereas following drought most of them have give up rearing and breeding fishes.

Delicious fish products by January

The department will very soon launch fish delicacies such as fish cutlet, fish samosa, fish burger, fish lollipop, fish ball starting from January. Selected women entrepreneurs will be sent to undergo one week training at The Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Cochin, where experts will be training women on preparing fish byproducts.

About 25 members belonging to Fisheries Department society and also some from self help groups have been selected. They will be taught to prepare fish foods while simultaneously they will train others. All the machinery and equipments required to make the byproducts have been set up at the federation located in Vidyaranya Puram.