Fish out of Water: Condition of Moran Fishermen

Moran, Assam: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the deadly virus have been harsh on most people. Businesses and industries and small entrepreneurs have been badly hit. In Assam's Moran, a group of 20 self-employed hardworking youths who have been earning their livelihood through fish farming is now going through very difficult times. The condition of the youths who took to fish farming is nothing better than fishing in troubled water.

The youths started fish farming in 2013 and became self-reliant. But unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent restrictions imposed to tackle it pushed them into an utter helpless state. Presently, a partial lockdown, imposed by the government to check the deadly virus infection, is in place.

"After we started in 2013, we were able to earn a decent amount of money and our business has been doing well. Till last year we kind of managed. But now it has become extremely difficult. We do not have a market to sell the fish. How much can you go on by selling at discounted rates. We need proper markets to earn something. We have not been able to buy the feed," one of the youths said.

The youths informed that they could not buy feeds for the fishes due to the partial lockdown. Selling of fish has also become a challenging task for them because of the COVID restrictions. The youths said that the ongoing situation has brought about frustration and anxiety. They have now appealed to the government for some relief to them.

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