Visakhapatnam: The consumption of dried fish has increased significantly in recent years. This sector largely involves the women of the fishing community, providing them with regular income and making it a profitable venture.
These women, who form the backbone of the industry, face many challenges and work in inadequate working conditions. The state fisheries department had promised them a solar-powered machine for fish processing. It is not done.
The condition of women involved in processing dried fish here is miserable. After the modernization of the Visakhapatnam port, the district administration and the fisheries department promised to relocate hundreds of these women.
Joint Director of Fisheries P Lakshmana Rao said in an interview to Deccan Chronicle, “We have allocated a 5-acre parcel in Thimmapuram for these women. We tried to install fish drying machines there, but it proved impossible. Now, we. Need to dry fish in that area. Focused on infrastructure development.
Fisherwomen have expressed concern over the decision to relocate them. After the fish arrives at the port, the fisherwomen go to work and process it in the sun by adding salt.
However, their proposed relocation to Thimmapuram will cause them trouble. Distance from the port, for one. Women’s Dry Fish Cooperative Organization of Visakha Municipality has been producing 8 tons of dried fish daily by 164 women. They use the open space of Vizag fishing port to dry.
In 1985, the district administration announced plans to relocate these women to Thimmapuram. The women filed a case and the High Court ruled in 1987 that ten acres of land in Thimmapuram should be allotted for their accommodation, along with another five acres for drying fish. It has been emphasized that complete infrastructure should be developed according to the needs of these women.
However, none have been established. These women, facing many challenges there, later returned to Vizag fishing port to continue their operations.
Meanwhile, the work of modernization of the port has reached its final stage. The authorities have again decided to shift the women to Thimmapuram.
Officials had earlier promised to install solar-powered machines to dry fish, but the machines they have provided have the capacity to process only one ton at a time. The woman says that these machines are not in a position to provide work to 164 members.
Marupilli Parvathamma, President of the Fisheries Cooperative, said, “Despite Rs 1.62 crore allocated for infrastructure development, we have been given a meager amount in Thimmapuram.”
Society Secretary Mylapalli Eranamma emphasized the need for proper transportation to ensure the viability of dried fish production in Thimmapuram.
Dry fish sector is profitable in Andhra Pradesh. Sales peak especially during fishing bans or lean seasons when fresh fish availability is low.
Dried fish is available throughout the year and is also exported internationally. It serves as a staple food for tribal communities living in the hills, who mostly depend on it. Daily access to fresh fish from the sea in these remote locations is difficult.