KARACHI, Aug 25: Fishermen are getting lower prices for their catch despite the lifting of a seven-month self-imposed ban by the government, boat owners said on Thursday.

Former chairman of the Boat Owners Association Haji Mir Khan said large shrimp (jaira) was being sold at Rs160 per kg against last year’s price of Rs275 per kg.

Similarly, medium-sized shrimp (kalri) was fetching a price of Rs90 per kg and small shrimp (kiddi) was being sold at Rs30 to 40 per kg. Last year’s prices for kalri and kiddi were Rs175 and Rs110 to 120 per kg respectively.

He alleged that exporters had formed a cartel and they were forcing prices down to earn more profit.

Mr Khan said boat owners had modified their boats at heavy costs, and they were assured a better price for their products by the government. However, all claims had proved false as fishermen were getting even lesser prices, he added.

A seafood exporter said exporters were getting lower prices this year, at least lower by a dollar on each product, as other competitors from the region including Indonesia were selling seafood at lower prices to the European Union.—APP