Chennai: High diesel prices, poor returns force big fishing boats to remain moored ashore in Kasimedu harbour

Chennai: Owners of fishing boats in Kasimedu harbour are banking on a miracle. Despite spending lakhs on fuel alone, they were unable to get a good price for their catch.

“A decade ago, we would carry 1,500 litres of fuel for deep sea fishing. Today, we carry 3,500 litres, which costs more than ₹3 lakh. Apart from this, the boat owner has to spend money on ration and water for those travelling in the boat along with their salaries. Having spent so much, the returns are very low these days,” D Jayaraman, a deep sea fishing boat owner, said.

Another owner, E Ragupathi, said there were about 300 deep sea fishing boats in just Kasimedu harbour.