Madurai
Most of the live lobsters are exported to South East Asian countries. People in those countries prefer the species as it is rich in calcium. The lobsters are comparatively muscular and larger in size than the prawns, which constitute one of the major exports of marine species.
A Pamban-based fisherman, Patrick, who deals with the export of lobsters, told DT Next that lobsters are quite abundant in the sea near Rameswaram and Pamban.
“We can catch around 200 kg to 500 kg a day on an average. The live lobsters are costly and they fetch nearly Rs 3,500 a kg,” he added.
“The live ones are much in demand in the South East Asian countries and so they are being exported there. On the other hand, the dead lobsters fetch around Rs 1,200 a kg. They are being sent to Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi, where they are served in star hotels,” Patrick elaborated.
Thailand and Singapore form the major chunk of the export market for the live lobsters. “In those countries, the hotels have the lobsters in an aquarium and allow their customers to choose the one they wish to consume. The selected ones are cooked and served fresh to their customers,” added Patrick.
“The lobsters are usually found beneath the rocks and caves in the sea. Fishermen, who fish in rocky areas of the sea, have more chance of netting them. We have specific nets to catch lobsters called the ‘Singi nets,’ explained fishermen leader Sagayam of Rameswaram. He also added that the lobsters weigh from 100 grams to a maximum of 5 kg and there are several varieties of lobsters. “As the size of the lobster increases the price too increases in proportion to it,” said Sagayam.
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