Sizzling temperatures may hit seafood exports

The seafood industry is facing the heat due to rising instances of premature mortality of shrimps in the ponds

The seafood industry is under stress as mercury levels have touched 45 degree Celsius in April. Instances of premature mortality of shrimps are on the rise. Exporters say this is likely to pull down exports in 2016-17 (FY 17).

Exports of marine products increased from $2.1 billion (Rs 13,961 crore) in FY 10 to $5.5 billion (Rs 36,559 crore) in FY 15. However, exports fell for the first time in FY16, and the current conditions continue, FY17 may not be any better.

“Due to sizzling temperatures, farmers are not opting for stocking seeds at ponds because of rising instances of premature mortality, especially in West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. We are pinning hopes on rains," said Ajay Dash, president, Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), Odisha region. Sea catch is also likely to plunge because of the heat, he added.

If the mortality rate touches 30 per cent, it will have a definite impact on exports in this financial year, he added.

In Odisha, shrimp mortality along the coastal Balasore district is around 50 per cent, while in Dhamra and Jagatsingpur it is around 30 per cent and 25-30 per cent, respectively. Exporters said this could improve if it rains properly and the second crop could be good, but said the current scenario is gloomy.

V Padmanabham, president of SEAI, said exports may plunge 10 to 15 per cent because of rising temperatures and other reasons.

"Depleting water levels at ponds because of the heat is leading to premature mortality. Salinity level is going up while water level is coming down," said G Mohanty, former president, SEAI-odisha region.

Farmers are also harvesting the crops early. The growth of shrimps is not upto the expected size and may not fetch good prices, said an expert.

At least 300 people have died as a result of the heat wave this month, including 110 in Odisha, 137 in Telangana and another 45 in Andhra Pradesh, where temperatures since the beginning of April have hovered around 45°C, private weather forecaster Skymet said.