Adequate fuel allocations reduce fish prices further – CFM
The Central Fish Market (CFM) says the fish prices in the Peliyagoda main Fish Market have currently gone down to a certain extent and this price reduction could be further continued even until the forthcoming Xmas and New Year festive seasons if authorities immediately relax the ongoing fuel restrictions on fishing communities and fish transporters.
Speaking to Daily News CFM, Chairman Jayasiri Wickramarachchi said even at this moment some fishermen in fishing harbours countrywide had kept away from fishing especially at night due to non- issuing of required fuel quantities. According to current CFM statistics a kilo of big fish was sold between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 3,300 a few weeks ago and at present, all big fish varieties are sold for less than Rs. 1,800 a kilo and even small fish has also been reduced by 40%.
The CFM Chairman said if adequate fuel including diesel and kerosene oil is issued to all persons engaged in the fishing industry the current fish prices could be continued without any difficulties further.
The CFM chairman further said if authorities do not make a positive response to the request even the already reduced fish prices in the market will be increased in the coming weeks.
He said in addition it is better if measures are taken to grant a diesel and kerosene oil subsidy for those who are engaged in the regular fishing industry through grama niladaris in respective fishing areas.
He said that keeping away from fishing will not only affect consumers but also star-class and small-scale hoteliers as well as seafood exporters who annually bring colossal foreign exchange. Meanwhile Chilaw Fishermen’s Association, Chairman Percy Fernando said due to the recent price hike of kerosene oil a large number of fishermen have curtailed fishing in some areas and it is high time for authorities to rectify this situation by granting a fuel subsidy at least for registered fishermen unless there will be a collapse in the industry.
He also said his association repeatedly informed the fisheries ministry to grant a kerosene oil subsidy but so far has not received any positive response.