Sun-dried marine fish production in Junput-Biramput village of West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district has emerged as an important traditional seafood value chain, supporting local livelihoods and regional trade.
The dried fish, locally known as Shutki machh, is produced through a long-established preservation practice that converts surplus and low-value marine catch into higher-value products. The process involves sorting, cleaning, salting, drying and packing fish for wider markets.
Purba Medinipur is considered a leading centre for sun-dried marine fish production and trade in West Bengal. From the Matsya Khotis of Junput-Biramput, dried fish is transported to markets across north Bengal, the North-Eastern States, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Commercial drying in the area began around 70 to 75 years ago. Today, nearly 550 to 600 producers are involved in the activity. The sector also provides work to women labourers, who play a major role in bone removal, sorting, hanging, drying and packing.
The dried fish trade highlights the importance of traditional marine food processing in reducing waste, improving shelf life and creating livelihood opportunities in coastal communities.