Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Jul 9: Fish rate in the district has sky rocketed as the fishing boats do not venture into the sea due to the annual prohibition of catching fish due to breeding season. This has dampened the spirit of Pescatarians who love to eat hot fish curry or fry during rains.

Generally in the coastal districts, fishing is not allowed to carry on in deep sea in the months of June and July. Only traditional boat fishing is allowed. But their catch is too less to cater to huge number of fish eaters of coastal districts. This invariably results in high market price for fish.

When the normal deep sea fishing season is on, the rate of pomfret fish is around Rs 300 to 400. Now the same is costing around Rs 700 to 800. The rate of Sardines has doubled from Rs 100 per kg to Rs 200. Similarly, rate of king fish has reached Rs 1000 per kg. Mackerels which were available at 10 fishes for Rs 200 are costing Rs 400 now.

Most of the fishes that arrive in the market are frozen ones. Only those which are caught by traditional boat fishermen are fresh. But fish lovers are not showing much interest as they think that only frozen fish is sold during monsoon.

The fisherwomen say that their business is also down as the consumers who used to buy two to three kg of fish take only half or one kg because of increased price.