Sea food becomes dearer

Vizianagaram: Seafood has become dear in north Andhra region even before ban on fishing came into force. The price of seafood varieties have soared, depriving the people of their favourite dishes. Much of this is down to the fact that most motor and mechanised boats remained anchored in harbours as fishermen cite lack of catch.

It should be remembered that the government bans fishing from April 15 to June 14, as it is the reproduction season for marine life. However, this season there is a lull in fishing activity due to lack of catch. Due to this the price of fish has increased in the range of 25 to 50 percent.

The owners of the mechanised boats say that they caught between the devil and deep sea. They were dealt with double whammy with poor catch and hike in input cost for voyage. Going by the scenario, the sea food lovers have to wait at least three more months to get quality fish and prawn at affordable prices.

Popular variety Silver Pompano, locally known as ‘Chanduva’, which was priced at Rs 400 a kg in March first week touched Rs 700 a kg in the retail market. Similarly, the price of another well-liked fish variety Seer (Konam) has shot up to Rs 400 from Rs 200. Meanwhile, the price of tiger prawn has touched to Rs700.

Speaking to The Hans India, B Chinappanna chairman of Fisherman Cooperative Society Limited of Vizianagaram said that more than 90 percent of mechanised and beach landing craft have been forced to anchor at the shore in the mid-March due to poor catch. “The fishermen are searching for alternative income source as they are not getting enough catch, moreover, they don’t know anything else than fishing,” he said.

Commenting on the soaring price of seafood K Rajesh, a hotel owner said, “I need to spend Rs 2,000 above regular budget. I purchase a minimum of 20 kg of fish but the price was hiked by 25-50 per cent in the past few days.”