Team Herald
Fish eaters said that the small-sized fish and the rates quoted in the market were the same as those prevailing during the lean period.
At Palolem and other Canacona shores, most of the trawlers did not venture to the sea due to shortage of manpower and rough weather conditions and on the other hand canoes in groups ventured into sea and brought in plenty of fish and did brisk business.
Fisherman Dhillon Pagui said they ventured into the sea from Palolem in the wee hours and found that the nets were tightening and so returned to shore but when the nets were hauled up they were dismayed that the fish caught had no marketable value and disposed it off at a cheap rate.
Hotel owner Sanjay Naik said the locals buy this variety of fish popularly known as kormot more for curry preparations. This fish is bought in small quantities as refrigeration of this fish leads to a loss of its taste and aroma.
Most of the catch was transported to Margao and according to the fishermen they could not meet the cost-to-benefit ratio and had to suffer losses.
