BALASORE: Entangled in the web of rising prices of raw materials, the fishing net weavers are finding it hard to make a living out of the profession in the northern parts of the State.Families engaged in the profession of knitting nets suffer silently in the absence of marketing facilities. A piece of fishing net which was available for `200 a couple of years back, is now priced between ` 450 and ` 500. A decade ago the hand-woven nets were being sold for less than ` 100.A weaver Ganeswar Das said they were bound to increase the price of nets as the cost of raw materials has increased disproportionately. “The prices of materials like thread and iron balls have risen three times besides the cost of labour,” he pointed out. The hand-woven fishing nets which were in high demand among a section of fishermen were also biodegradable and quickly disintegrate in the salt water. The modern plastic, machine-woven nets though command a good market as they come for a lesser price are harmful for the marine species. These non-biodegradable nets have given a tough competition to the weavers who now manage to sell on an average 15 pieces a year against hundreds they once sold.“Even as the hand-woven nets are very environment-friendly as they are used for fishing in deep ponds, they have no takers. People prefer machine-woven nets for their low cost. Those who have mastered the art of knitting these nets are now out of job,” said Laxmikanta Lenka, member of a local fishermen association. The net-makers who eagerly await the monsoon season to make some money have been left dejected too with virtually no demand for the nets. Dwindling fish in ponds, rivers and canals has adversely affected the net-makers over the years. With their business in doldrums, switching profession comes as the first and only option for these weavers. Many are now working as daily labourers to earn their livelihood while some are apprehending moving to other states where they can manage some money in the trade.
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