Skyrocketing fish prices in Hadramout [Archives:2006/927/Business & Economy]
Saeed Al-Batati
[email protected]
When Hadramout is mentioned, the first thing people think of is fish. Visitors are told that they haven't visited Hadramout if they haven't eaten fish. It is eaten more than any other protein source in the governorate.
Due to the abundance of fish in the past, Yemenis fashioned many popular dishes like Sayadia, Gila bah and Sanah. Presently, these dishes are no longer served due to skyrocketing fish prices. YR 250 per kilo was a reasonable price for all citizens; however, getting good quality fish these days costs an arm and a leg.
Spiraling prices have made it impossible for low-income citizens to buy both low and high quality fish. Moreover, it has forced them to buy other types of fish used only for feeding fish. Aid (Sardinella Melanura), which was not so popular in Hadramout before, is now used in dishes since it is the only fish that can be bought via competitive prices.
Fish prices never have skyrocketed as much as today, with fish and meat prices at nearly the same. Nowadays, neither the haves nor the have nots can afford fish and on special occasions like Ramadan, prices hit the roof.
Owing to increased demand, the price of Thamad (yellow fin tuna) has exceeded YR 900 per kilo and predictions say it may reach an unprecedented record.
Hadrami peoples now experience hard times. When friends visit them, they don't know what to serve in order to be generous, as only vegetables are the poor alternative.
Anyone entering Al-Mukalla fish markets can see depressed faces of citizens arguing for discounts from fish sellers. Many return home empty-handed and others with meager amounts of fish that may not meet their family needs.
Citizens are on the warpath concerning prices, with many cursing the government for not intervening to arrest the deteriorating living standard. There is a moot point in Hadramout as to the reason for the problem which has become a phantom now disturbing everyone in the governorate. Citizens unanimously say that the interrupted fish supply has failed to keep pace with increased demand. Everyone lays blame on the other for the short supply.
During his visit to Al-Mukalla Market, Hadramout governor Abdulgader Hilal discovered there was a great need for fish in the market, but most fishermen prefer selling their catch to fish-caning factories, which makes fish scarce and cost a lot. Hilal imposed stringent regulations on fishermen, requesting they prioritize the local market. As a result, prices temporarily dropped, but due to failure to keep an eye on violators, prices again are escalating.
Hadramout Information editor Anwar Ba-Sloom links the fish price rise to fuel price hikes. “Fishermen used to consume 20 liters of fuel, costing them YR 1,000 to sail into the deep sea to fish. When fuel prices went up, deep-sea fishing cost YR 14,000,” he said. Concerning fishing companies' growth and their impact on prices, “In recent years, the governorate grabbed many investment opportunities that have tangible social benefits but monitoring such investments essentially is required,” Ba-Sloom added.
Ministry of Fish Office manager Nader Ba Wazir attributed the issue to various simultaneous factors. “The amount of fish caught declined last year compared with past years. The total amount of fish caught in 2004 was estimated at 88,000 tons, whereas it was 63,000 tons in 2005.” His opinion is concurrent with many biologists about the global problem of decreasing fish stocks. “Rapid expansion of roads makes it easy for fish traders to export fish to other governorates,” he added.
Ba Wazir has a number of remedies for the problem. “We introduced a law forcing fishermen to bring their daily catch to fish markets, preventing them from selling it to outsiders before midnight.” Regarding fuel economy, “We are going to equip fishing boats with diesel engines,” he added.
Local fisherman Ahmed Bukari blames the government for increased fuel prices. “The fuel price is the main reason. In the past, we spent YR 10,000 but at current price levels, we now spend YR 30,000. We spend more money than what we get.”
Fishermen reasoned that Ba Wazir's approaches were irrational. “We bring our catch to market after midnight, so the law is ineffective in this process. Diesel engines are nearly as close in consumption as those using petrol, so, we want gas ones,” Bukari said. “Although fishermen are society's fish producers, no one pays attention to them,” he concluded.
The other side of investment
Following unification, the government made investments much more attractive by offering many facilities to investors, which was enough to encourage them to come. Hadramout took the lion's share in the fishing industry. In the past decade, investors pumped millions of dollars into the fishing industry which, of course, were a real moneymaker for these private enterprises.
Following the flock of investors into the governorate, the widespread belief was that the fishing industry investment boom would help provide jobs for Hadramout citizens. The unemployment percentage plummeted and everyone thought Hadramout stood at the threshold of prosperity.
Investors' business flourished, but at the expense of the poor. According to some experts, one side effect of excessive fish consumption was noticed in increased fish prices.
Since its establishment in 2001, Saba Factory daily processes approximately 15 tons of fish to produce 60,000 cans of tuna. Factory manager Abdullah Al-Amoudi denied allegations that his factory or others are behind fish price hikes. He blamed what he described as “illegal fisheries” as the reason. Many citizens reported that fishery company representatives participate in Khalef Market's fish auction, leading to fierce competition and fish sold at inflated prices.
The government's investor openness policy also did not please many ordinary citizens. “Businessmen are given complete freedom to kill us,” one bus driver said angrily. “Only Allah will drive our worries away.”
From a scientific perspective, Dr. Abdul Kareem Tahir, head of Hadramout University's Marine Life Department, admitted, “There have been no updated studies conducted to determine Arabian Sea fish stocks, but generally speaking, world fish stocks have been dwindling over the past few years. Fishery companies overexploit the stock.” He urged local authorities to work to develop effective measures to conserve stocks.
Having seen uncontrolled fishing spread and increased fish consumption, marine life experts are distinctly uneasy about Arabian Sea fish stocks, as many species are over-fished, being caught at faster rates than fish can reproduce. Tahir said the most depleted fish species today is the popularly eaten Alkanad fish. “The solution lies in bringing the extended fishing period to a sustainable level, enforcing the breeding season and enabling young fish to grow.”
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