Low catch & a low demand: Sri Lanka fishermen in dire straits

COLOMBO (News 1st) - As many Sri Lankans have cut down on their meals, the demand for staples has also seen a drop.

Usually, more than 200 to 300 Sri Lankan fishing boats set out to sea, however after the economic crisis hit, coupled with an acute shortage of fuel most of the Sri Lankan fishermen have been forced to tie up their boats to the piers, hoping for better days.

"The demand for fish had slumped. The main reason for this is the high cost of fuel and the rising cost of living. A liter of fuel that cost only Rs. 70/- before is now almost Rs. 400/-.  The catch has dropped, but the price does not increase because the demand is low," said one local fisherman from Negombo.

"Due to a high price for fish in the recent past many multi-day fishing boats set out to sea. However, the demand is dropping and the price of fish has also dropped. But, the cost to set out to sea is over Rs. 100,000/- per multi-day fishing boat. Fishermen who catch Tuna have to bear a higher cost that is almost Rs. 1 million per journey. Each boat has six workers, and an owner. Given the current costs, it is impossible to engage in this trade," said another.

The catch that is brought ashore in Negombo reaches the Peliyagoda Fish Market in Colombo where traders hope to fetch a better price to cover their costs.

However, after the economic crisis hit Sri Lanka these traders tell us a different story.

"The prices of fish have dropped compared to previous days. This is because the demand from consumers is very low. The people don't have money to buy," said one trader.

Jayasuriya Wickramarachchi is the Chairman of the Peliyagoda Traders Association and he said that most workers at the Peliyagoda Fish Market as day wage earners, and the new payment system at the premises is that the wage depends on the number of sales.

"The demand usually is high when the price is low. But this time, the demand is low even when the prices are low. The entire fisher community is in dire straits because of the high costs borne by the fishermen to bring the catch ashore. The slumping prices are putting the entire industry at risk, mainly because the demand is very low," he added.

The rising cost of living in Sri Lanka coupled with months of shortages of many essentials has forced many Sri Lankans to skip meals to survive for the remaining days until better days dawn.