THE Salon ethnic group living in Kawthoung, Taninthayi Region is currently earning a good income from squid fishing due to favourable prices in Thailand, with the catch being sent to Kawthoung depots before being sold to Thailand.
“We are used to fishing for squid all year round. We catch more squid during the rainy season, but the price has gone down. This season, there are fewer squid and they are more expensive, so we mainly focus on catching squid. The weather is good and the price of squid is good, so it is convenient,” said Ko Zan Moe, a Salon ethnic resident fishing for squid in the sea near Zadetgyi island.
Squid is usually caught in the sea from the 3rd waning to the 3rd waxing of every month, and fishermen return to shore after 15 days. The most popular times to see the Salon ethnic people on the islands are during the Thadingyut period and the Salon Nat (Sprit) Festival in February and March.
In the shallow waters near the shores of Kawthoung, Salon fishermen often fish, while others go out to sea with their families on boats. At night, they dive underwater using oxygen equipment and electric lights to catch shrimp, sea cucumbers, and fish, which are then sold the following day. Currently, lobsters weighing more than four kilogrammes are selling for over K40,000 per kilogramme, while small shrimp are selling for K25,000 per kilogramme. At the Ranong fish market in Thailand, lobsters are priced at 1,000 baht per kilogramme. Meanwhile, squid, which used to sell for K12,000 per kilogramme during the season, are now fetching a higher price of K20,000 per kilogramme. — Thitsa (MNA)/TH
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar