Ice shortage at Vizag fishing harbour disrupts fishing, seafood trade
A shortage of ice at the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour is disrupting fishing operations and affecting seafood handling and trade, prompting mechanised boat owners, traders and fishermen to urge the authorities to expand ice production infrastructure to meet the rising demand.
The National Association of Fishermen (NAF), Andhra Pradesh, said the shortage has worsened during the current fishing season following the arrival of more than 200 mechanised fishing boats from neighbouring States, pushing demand for ice beyond the existing production capacity. The association alleged that no new ice plants have been established to meet the increased demand.
According to fishermen, the shortage has delayed the departure of several mechanised boats, resulting in operational disruptions and financial losses.
NAF honorary president Vasupalli Janakiram said a substantial portion of the available ice is supplied to mechanised boats before they set sail, leaving seafood traders, exporters and fish packing units in and around the harbour with insufficient quantities to preserve the catch after it is landed.
“The shortage has affected seafood handling and disrupted consignments to major markets, including Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru,” he said.
Mechanised boat owners said the price of ice has increased from ₹1,600 to ₹1,800 per tonne, adding to their operating costs. They said Visakhapatnam has 12 to 15 ice plants catering to the requirements of fishing vessels and seafood processing units in and around the harbour. The plants have production capacities ranging from 50 to 90 tonnes a day. However, the existing capacity is insufficient to meet the seasonal demand.
Fishermen said they have repeatedly urged the authorities to facilitate the establishment of additional ice plants in the fishing harbour area. However, they alleged that high lease rentals fixed by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority have discouraged investment in new facilities.
They appealed to the State government to provide incentives and policy support for setting up additional ice plants to strengthen the fishing sector and ensure an uninterrupted supply of ice during the fishing season.
Officials of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority were not immediately available for comment on the fishermen’s allegations regarding lease rentals and the delay in establishing new ice plants.