Seafood lovers missing their favourite fish

Prices of popular varieties soar post fishing ban, but traditional fishermen are happy making hay

The fishing ban in force for the last two months to allow fish breeding during the pre-monsoon period in the entire East Coast has turned into a boon for traditional fishermen. But seafood lovers are feeling the pinch due to soaring prices.

The die-hard lovers of seafood are finding it difficult to buy it on a regular basis, forcing them to either reduce the quantum of consumption or switch to freshwater fish, the price of which has remained more or less the same. The ban is applicable only for motorised boats venturing into the sea. With the traditional non-motorised boats such as wooden and fibre vessels and catamaran being exempted from the ban, which had come into force from April 15, fishermen using them are having a field day with their catch selling like hotcake.

‘Good margins’

“We are very happy with the demand. The increase in price also gives us good margins and help us save a little so that we can spend it for any exigency,” Chodupalli Pollayya, a traditional boat owner from Pedajalaripeta, told The Hindu .

Netalu, a small fish popular for its medicinal value and reducing blood pressure, is making a rare appearance as the fishermen are not getting it. It used to be available for ₹200 to ₹400 a kg before the ban.

An alternative

“Now there is no choice. Either we have to reduce our consumption or consume more freshwater fish brought from Raiwada and other reservoirs and rivulets,” says Joydev Chakravarty, a railway employee.

There is not much rise in the price of the freshwater fish. Increase in demand has led to revision in the price only by a few rupees for the freshwater fish like ‘Bochu’, ‘Bangarupapa’ and ‘Sheelavati’. “For a few days, we have to pay more. Once the new season starts, we will have plenty of seafood available in the market,” said Suman Ganguly, an entrepreneur.