Weekend before puratasi, sale of fish increases

The demand for seafood was also higher compared to other meat. As this is last Sunday before Puratasi, the sale of fish and prawns increased on Sunday. The arrival of fish was also high as more boats reached the shore than usual. The stock of fish and prawns also got over early when compared to the normal days. The price for a kilo of seer fish (vanjiram) was Rs 800-850 while it was Rs 250 for horse mackeral (parai), Rs 1,100 for white pomfret (vaval), and Rs 650 black pomfret, Rs 250 for big red snapper (sankara), Rs 200 for medium and Rs 150 for small, said Sivalingam R, Secretary, Thesiya Meenavar Sangam.

From Monday, the prices are expected to decrease as only limited consumers will eat non-vegetarian food, according to vendors. After Puratasi month begins, the prices will reduce at least by 50 per cent. Tiger prawn was sold for Rs 1,250/kg, flower prawn (big) was sold for Rs 950/kg and small Rs 550/kg, kalra prawn for Rs 300-350/kg. There is also hike in lobster prices this month with rock lobster sold for Rs 1,750 (alive) and Rs 650 (dead) per kg,” said Vishnu MP from MPV Sea Foodz. During Tamil month of Puratasi, several Hindus avoid consumption of non-vegetarian food as a mark of respect to Lord Vishnu.