Andhra Pradesh, India – The disappearance of delectable dishes featuring silver-skinned pomfret from gourmet dining tables in Andhra Pradesh has raised concerns within the state’s thriving fisheries sector. The sector has been grappling with the adverse impacts of climate change, industrialization, and urbanization, leading to a notable decline in various fish species that once thrived in the blue waters along the coast. One of the most alarming declines in recent years has been the catch of silver-skinned pomfret, which has dwindled by a staggering 50 to 60 percent over the past decade, signaling a looming threat to this commercially significant and premium fish species.
Attributing the decline in premium fish varieties to the aftermath of the devastating Hudhud cyclone, Satyanarayana Suraida, General Secretary of the Visakha Dolphin Boat Operators Welfare Association, revealed that a decade ago, fishing boats used to return laden with approximately 120 kilograms of silver pomfret and over 180 kilograms of black pomfret between November and January. However, today, both varieties have seen their catches plummet by more than 60 percent. Fishermen recount how silver pomfret used to be abundant during peak winter and reasonably available during the monsoon season, but now, capturing them has become a daunting challenge.
Vijaya, the Joint Director of the Fisheries Department in Visakhapatnam, acknowledged the troubling decline in silver pomfret and a few other fish varieties. She cited multiple factors contributing to the diminishing catch of silver pomfret, including climate change, premature fishing before the fish reach full maturity and breeding age, and pollution. These factors have collectively led to the current predicament, endangering a species once cherished for its culinary significance and economic importance.
As the fisheries sector grapples with these challenges, stakeholders and authorities are urged to collaborate on conservation and sustainable fishing measures to preserve the diversity of fish species in the coastal waters of Andhra Pradesh. The fate of the iconic silver-skinned pomfret, along with other endangered species, hangs in the balance, requiring swift and comprehensive action to ensure their survival for future generations.
