With prices going through the roof, fish has almost become unaffordable for the common man. On Thursday, the price of mackerel touched Rs. 300 a kg in the retail market in Ernakulam, painting a grim picture of fish landings in the State in the midst of the monsoon trawl ban and dwindling resources off the coast.
Fishing industry sources said that resources like anchovies, the strength of the traditional fishermen during the ban period, were nowhere in sight during fishing ventures.
A hotelier said that anchovies were not available in the main market in the city though the fish juveniles were on sale at the Champakkara market for Rs. 200 a kg.
Along with mackerels and anchovies, price of sardine has gone up to Rs. 120 a kg. Sardines from Oman, which began to be sold in State from early this year for Rs. 120 a kg has grown dearer. Oman sardines were sold for Rs. 160 a kg on Thursday. Medium-sized tilapia was sold for Rs. 140 a kg while pearl spots have become dearer at Rs. 500 a kg. Shrimp sold for Rs. 300 to Rs. 350 a kg and some tuna varieties for Rs. 350 to Rs. 400 a kg.
A positive start
Passenger patronage for the newly-introduced intra-district MEMU train service in the Angamaly-Ernakulam-Piravom triangular corridor is increasing, according to a survey being done by commercial wing of Southern Railway.
Many passenger associations’ demand to augment inter-district MEMU services linking Ernakulam with Thrissur, Kottayam and Alappuzha is yet to be realised, despite whopping demand from commuters who now depend on buses and private vehicles.
“Thrissur would get priority since the track there is already doubled. But Railway will take a call depending on patronage for the Angamaly-Piravom MEMU service and the availability of a new MEMU rake,” a senior official said.
K.A. Martin and John L. Paul
