Adding fish to one’s meal has turned expensive. The annual ban on deep sea fishing in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu from mid of April has led to skyrocketing of prices in the last one week.
For those keen on including seafood in their diet, could end up with burning a hole in the purse.
The rates of some of the most-sought after fish such as Vanjaram and Vaval have spiralled by at least Rs. 100 to Rs. 200, according to dealers.
While rates might vary from shop to shop, the normal selling rates of Vanjaram is around Rs. 800 to Rs. 900 per kg, while Vaval costs Rs. 600 to Rs. 700.
Vellore gets most of its seafood supply from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
“There is definitely an increase in the rates in the last week. We usually get freshwater fish from Andhra Pradesh. Now, we are getting fish from Mangalore,” Jamal, a fish dealer at the New Fish Market said.
M.C. Khalid, president of the Vellore Fish Market Association, said the catching of fish such as Vaval was less due to the ban.
“As the rates of some fish are high, traders also tend to reduce the quantity of purchases. We are having a normal supply of prawns, as it is mostly reared. While big prawns are priced at nearly Rs. 400, the small ones cost Rs. 350,” he said.
He said the prices will continue to remain high for at least another three months as after the annual ban on fishing in Tamil Nadu, other coastal States too will start implementing the ban. “However, sale of fish will not get affected much as people keep buying seafood,” he said.
Chitra Pournami
He noted that sale of seafood was low on Sunday due to Chitra Pournami. Ravishankar, who buys fish regularly, said he spent at least Rs. 200 extra on seafood during a single purchase last week.
The average selling price of seafood across shops are (per kg): Sankara – Rs. 220, crab – Rs. 280, Mathi – Rs. 80, Katla and rohu – Rs. 160, Ayala – Rs. 180, Sheela – Rs. 350.
