Seafood lovers upset as prices remain high due to fishing ban

In a rather unusual sight, most fish markets in these districts witness a low turnout of customers nowadays. As fish varieties were sparsely available owing to decline in fish catch by country boats, those who crave seafood are forced to pay the amount demanded by the seller. The prices have increased by at least Rs 200, vendors pointed out.

Among the edible fish variety, ‘seela’ was the most expensive at Rs 800 per kg. While ‘ooli’ and other varieties, including ‘vila’ and ‘para’, is sold at Rs 400 per kg at the Karimedu fish market in Madurai, prawns was being sold at Rs 300 per kg, Sivalingam, a fish vendor, said.

Though various seafood species was being procured from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country, Muthuganesh, an agent at the Karimedu fish market, said the quality of fishes procured from coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, especially Thoothukudi, is far superior.

According to stakeholders, the current market trend in Thoothukudi is lot more different from other districts. D Johnson, fish vendor, said a kilo of ‘seela’ was sold between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,500 depending on its quality and size. A week ago, it fetched Rs 1,000 a kilo. Fish items such as ‘ooli’, ‘vila’ and ‘para’ were sold at Rs 400 a kilo each, while ‘nagara’ and ‘nethili’ fetched Rs 300.

Even the less expensive ‘chala’ is being sold at a higher amount. While the normal rate for six pieces of ‘chala’ was Rs 10, it is now sold at Rs 5 each. A basket full of ‘chala’ fish, the most sought after by consumers, normally fetches Rs 800 at the auction centre, but now its price has jumped to Rs 2,500.

In Ramanathapuram district, the price of seafood items was increased by Rs 100. Since fish landing had been witnessing a decline in volume at centres in Keelakarai, Erwadi, Thondi, Mandapam, Pamban and Rameswaram, seafood price could increase further.

R J Bosco, Secretary, Thoothukudi Mechanised Boat Owners Association, said seafood prices have shot up since country boats, which are not restricted from fishing, are unable to net fishes on a par with mechanised boats. The ban on mechanized boat fishing has resulted in the overall decline of fish catch by 60 per cent.

According to him, the spiralling seafood price would sustain till August as a similar annual fishing ban along the country’s western coast came into effect from June 1. Since traders from Kanniyakumari would rely much on Thoothukudi seafood, the demand there would continue to rise even after the ban along the east coast is lifted.