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Artisanal fishing techniques

Lagadia means boat fishing. Gill nets are used within 10 km of the shore to catch scad and Indian mackerel. A single trip, worked by two people yields around 8 kg of fish. Merchants operating in the settlements offer around Rs 50 per kg.

The catch is iced immediately and exported to major cities where they fetch much more.

Pagadia means fishing by foot. At low tide, fisherfolk walk over the muddy seabed and drive stakes into the ground. Low nets are strung between the stakes. Silver fish, Bombay duck and shrimp coming in with the tide are trapped in the nets and collected when the tide recedes. These fish, dried by fisherwomen, fetch Rs 5, Rs 20, and Rs 50 per kg.

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