Fisherfolk in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, have expressed disappointment after being unable to fetch an adequate price for their catch despite an abundant catch consisting of fish, crab, cuttlefish, and prawns.

The ban on fishing was lifted at midnight on June 19th, and fisherfolk from Rameshwaram, Mandapam, Thondi, and Thiruvadanai returned to sea in over 1500 boats. However, they have faced immense losses due to the high cost of diesel, fishing equipment, and because private companies that have formed a syndicate have refused to pay fair prices for their catch.

This has left the fisherfolk at a loss despite having had a plentiful catch after 61 days. As a result, each boat has had to shoulder a loss of RS.50,000 to RS.100,000. 

The fisherfolk have demanded that the government intervene so that the private seafood export companies pay an appropriate price for their catch. They have also asked the government to regulate the price of prawns, which is currently being controlled by the private companies.

The fisherfolk's plight has drawn attention to the need for the Indian government's  intervention in the seafood industry. The government needs to ensure that fisherfolk are able to get a fair price for their catch, and that they are not exploited by private companies.