Mangaluru: Despite the ban on fishing and despite the traditional boats having remained anchored, waiting for conducive weather for them to embark on fishing, there is huge stock of sardine that is available in the coastal market, helping the fishing connoisseurs to relish their favourite ‘buthai fry’ or a lip-smacking ‘buthai pulimunchi’.
Well, thanks to the sardines from Oman, which have landed on Gujarat coast, which is being dispersed all along the coastline of Karnataka. Since the Omani Sardines first land on Gujarat coast, they are called ‘Modi Buthai’ here in coastal belt!
As per fisheries department the catch of sardine has dropped down drastically in the region of late. The statistics show that while 26,064 tonnes of sardines were caught in 2014-15, the catch was mere 10,644 tonnes during 2015-16.
It may be recalled that all these years, the coastal Karnataka had outstanding fish stock of Mackerel and sardines. But, due to the depletion in fish stock, the region now banks on Omani sardines.
The sardines from Oman have been landing in the coastal belt over the last few years, specifically during the monsoons. These sardines are larger in size when compared to the local variety of sardines and a kg of these fish cost anywhere between Rs 130 to 140.
Experts say that the local variety of fish will be available only after the traditional boats venture into fishing.
