In an effort to create better facilities to process tuna ( soorai ), the fisheries department has proposed to construct a tuna fishing harbour at Tiruvottiyur Kuppam in north Chennai. Estimates show that around 300 boats operate from Chennai and venture deep into the Bay of Bengal exclusively to catch tuna and bring in about 1,000 tonnes every month. The Fisheries Department has begun the process of appointing a consultant to prepare a techno economic feasibility report for the project. The consultant has to prepare required studies like the environment impact assessment study, topography survey, hydrography survey, tide and directional current measurements for the construction of the fishing harbour. The consultant will finalise the facilities after a meeting of stakeholders.
A fish exporter in the city said that while a tuna harbour was a good idea, space must be provided to private exporters for setting up processing units.
“Tuna is exported to various countries that have different standards; some of it is air lifted and some sent in containers by ship. At present, tuna that lands in Chennai is sent to Kerala and then exported.
The harbour should also have cold storage, ice factory and quarters for workers,” he said.
Soorai is a huge fish and expensive, available mostly only in fine dining restaurants in the city.
