Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 12: Most of the people from Dakshina Kannada cannot think of having food without fish. As currently there is a ban on fishing, the fish prices have gone up. Still, fresh fish has disappeared from the market. Even the country boat fishing is facing problems because of the hostile climate. 

Sardines are now being sold at Rs 200 a kg and Rs 300 for mackerels in both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Kingfish costs Rs 900, with the prawns priced at Rs 300 per kg.

File photo

During the fishing season, sardines were available at Rs 100 a kilo, and mackerels were costing Rs 150. Kingfish was priced at Rs 400 and pawns Rs 200 per kg. Fresh catches are not available now. Fishes coming from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are a couple of days old, considering transportation time. 

Sardines, mackerels and Kingfish are the varieties of fish that are in high demand in hotels. Rates have now skyrocketed for dishes made out of fish. A mackerel fry costs Rs 150 per plate while a Kingfisher piece is priced at Rs 400.

Inclement weather: The country boats got good catches during January. But for the last some days, because of heavy rain, the sea has become disturbed and the fishermen have been instructed against venturing into the sea. Therefore, the financial transactions have been hit and a fisherman, Vasu, said that there is good demand for country boat fishes but the activity has been stopped.

As per the government directives, deep-sea fishing can be undertaken from August 1 onward. But most of the fishermen undertake fishing only after August 15, after 'Samudra Pooja' custom is observed. By then the fishermen who have returned to their native places return. Majeed, a fisherman, said that currently, the fishermen are busy repairing the boats and nets in preparation for the next season.