Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 9: Two months have passed since the start of the current fishing season, and despite concerns over adverse weather conditions, the fish catch during this period has been satisfactory, according to fishermen.

Fishermen generally have high expectations when they resume fishing after the two-month fishing ban. Almost all boats venture out on their first fishing trip after the ban. This season, all boats that ventured into the deep sea have managed to get a catch.

Fishermen said that if the trend continued for the next two to three months, it could turn out to be a good fishing season.

Purse seine boats are getting sardines and mackerel, while trawlers are catching fish varieties such as kappe bondas, disco, muru and pambol. Smaller boats are catching prawns and manji fish.

According to Fisheries Department statistics, 18,000 metric tonnes of fish were caught in August and 25,200 metric tonnes in September, taking the total catch for the two months to 43,200 metric tonnes.

Department officials said that 53,757 metric tonnes of fish were caught during the corresponding period last year, while the catch stood at 45,050 metric tonnes in 2024-25 and 44,024 metric tonnes in 2023-24.

A review of annual fish availability figures shows an increasing trend. In the 2024-25 financial year, 1,71,795 tonnes of fish, valued at Rs 2,220 crore, were caught. In 2025-26, the catch increased to 1,97,381 tonnes, valued at Rs 3,856 crore.

In view of the rising annual fish availability, department officials have expressed hope that the current fishing season will also yield a good catch.