Temperature rise hits fish supply, prices soar in city

“The increasing temperature has led to severe decrease in the fish supply,” said AGS Anbu, a member of the Chintadripet Fish Market Association. “Boats destroyed by Cyclone Gaja in Vizhunthamavadi in Nagapattinam is another reason for the decline in fish supply,” he added.

According to Shakti, a fisherman from Meesapet market, fish in the sea stay deep in the water to avoid the heat during summer. Due to this, the catch goes down drastically during the summer, he claimed.

Anbu, a trader who supplies fish to many restaurants in the city said black pomphret, seer fish, gur fish and barracuda (koduva) are always in high demand, as the city folks prefer them. However, due to shortage in supply, the prices have gone up by more than one-third of their original cost.

From its earlier price of Rs 400, the black pomphret now costs Rs 600 in the fish markets across the city. Similarly, seer fish that was Rs 500 now costs Rs 700 and gur fish price has gone up from Rs 400 to Rs 500 now.

Among the lesser priced fish, barracuda that was Rs 250 now costs Rs 350, while shark is being sold for Rs 300 now, up from Rs 200.

“The barracuda (koduva meen) and shark (Sura) were in demand due to their cheap price. Hence, people are disappointed that they have to pay high even for cheaper fish,” said Anbu.