Inclement weather makes fishing difficult in Kerala

Heavy onslaught of monsoon and strong wind for the last couple of weeks have made fishing almost impossible along the Kerala coast. This in turn has resulted in a steep rise in the prices of fish.

Sea-based fishing has almost stalled as a ban on trawling is effective mid-June. Though country boats were allowed, due to rough sea and bad weather conditions, most of the fishermen have not ventured into the sea for the last two weeks.

A Munambam fishing harbour-based worker, said though shallow water fish like Indian sardine and mackerel were abundant now, it is dangerous to go for fishing.

PK Karthikeyan, a Munambam fishing harbour-based worker, said most of his co-workers had temporarily stopped venturing into the sea due to strong wind conditions. Even boats kept on the banks got destroyed in districts like Alappuzha  due to strong waves, he added.

Hence, they have not ventured into the sea though shallow water fish like Indian sardine and mackerel were abundant now.

As a result, the price of Indian sardine, which is the common man's fish, has now increased to Rs 50-60 per kg, from Rs 30-40 a few weeks ago. Normally during this season, sardine is available even at Rs 20 per kg, said Saju Antony, a commission agent based in Kochi.

Besides, the local markets are not able to procure low-cost items such as sardine as they have good demand from exporters, used in making powder.  Around 10 truck loads were going to Karnataka and Maharashtra from Munambam harbour alone, he said.  

Likewise, the price of mackerel has increased to Rs 180-220, a kg from Rs 120 -140 a month ago. Deep sea items like king fish and red fin broom are not available as fishing boats are not allowed to operate. The prices of inland-based pearl spot had touched Rs 500 per kg.

Antony said the price might increase further as Kerala is facing a serious shortage in this season.

He also said the price of sardine was likely to go up to Rs 100 per kg unless the climate  changes.