Vijaydurg (Konkan): When Rihan Sheikh leapt out of the small canoe, he was surrounded with the group of around 7-8 people. Holding two big crabs in his hand, Rihan avoided the crowd, which kept on following him. Selfie please!
One from the crowd requested. After several requests, Rihan agreed to give a crab in the hand of that unknown by-stander. But just for a minute. Before the camera could even complete clicking a picture, Rihan grabbed the crab back and started walking.
The risk was not worth. If that crab is fallen from the hand of that gentleman, it means I lost Rs 1,500. It’s sizeable amount, Rihan said as he kept on walking towards the jeep that was standing near the shore.
This is Vijaydurg. The place formerly known as a naval headquarters of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has a mammoth fort, and a seashore. The fort fetches no income for locals, but sea does.
The small muslim community of fishermen is entirely banking for their traditional activity for livelihood. Before the dawn, several canoes venture in the sea spreading their net. As the monsoon begins, the catch gets richer and unique.
Two big crabs which were part of the catch by Rihan are amongst the costliest which will travel to Singapore. “They are live crabs. They remain alive for next 5-6 days,” says Aniket Vardham, a local from Vijaydurg, who runs a hotel here.
The crabs which are sold at the rate of around Rs 1,500-2,000 are sent to Singapore by agents who arrive here from Ratnagiri, 80 kms away from here. The crabs are meticulously packed in a box. Aniket explains: the crab is enveloped in the areca nut leaves so that they are not spoilt. And they are sent alive to Singapore.
While monsoon brings in ban on the mechanized fishing on the entire Western coast, the smaller fish which is netted here is sent to places like Goa, which is 140 kms away from here.
“There is a huge demand for fish from here in the markets of Goa. The tourism industry makes a beeline here to purchase fish from here,” said Mustafa Sheikh, an aged fishermen who has been eking out his living on the sea his entire life of six decades.
This small village located at the foot of Vijaydurg fort is now being looked at as the possible site for satellite port. The facility will be built under centre’s integrated port development scheme.
Team TNV
