With the catch coming down as boats were warned not to venture into the sea following Cyclone Fani alert, prices of fish has increased in the market here. Further, the arrival is less due to ongoing fishing ban for mechanised and motorised boats. The annual ban is meant to conserve marine resources and aid fish breeding. As majority of the fishermen from Thoothukudi have not ventured into the sea since April 26, most of the catch is sourced from seine fishing. Six country boats returned to Threspuram on Tuesday with a catch of around one tonne. Traders shelled out more during the auction of fish. J. Jeyabalan, one of the workers involved in auctioning, said that barracuda fish (ooli meen), which was usually sold for Rs.300 a kg, was sold for around Rs.450 to Rs.500. White snapper fish (vela meen) that has a going rate of about Rs.350 saw a spike to sell at Rs.450. Tuna (soorai fish) was sold for Rs. 100, an increase from the usual rate of Rs.60. Four groups that were involved in seine fishing could not net large fish, and ended up selling for only about Rs.3,000 to Rs.4,000 each, he said.
2019, The Hindu