Last Sunday, my mother sent me to the fish market. As it was my first time , I was shocked when the shopkeeper told me that it cost Rs.400/kg. I shouted back saying “How can you be so unreasonable?” He got angry, but politely replied, “This is a good price for the work we do and the risks we take.” When I looked at him, his wife and his poorly–dressed children, I felt sorry for my harsh words. I visited Kasimedu and Vanagaram to see how they live.
Fishermen are professionals engaged in fishing. If they are lucky, they get a good catch, else, they return empty–handed. They risk loss of life when there is a storm. Due to inadequate cold storage facility, they have to sell their catch on the same day for whatever price they get. Their living conditions are bad. They do not realise the importance of education — their children are mostly school dropouts.
Fishermen also suffer from bad habits. Many drink liquor after a hard day’s work. They do not earn enough to save.
We keep hearing about low farm productivity and food shortage. In such circumstances, it is heartening to know that the ocean has large untapped food resources, both vegetarian and non–vegetarian. Sea food is not only pure, it is also rich in nutrition.
The more we connect the two, we increasingly realise how important the fishing community as ia a food facilitator. Fishermen need all our support for a secure life, which is eventually in our own interest.
M.Mathiraj, VI, SBOA School & Junior College, Anna Nagar, Chennai
