Chennai: A reduced catch by Kasimedu trawlers and fishing boats led to a sharp increase in fish prices across major city markets on Sunday, including Kasimedu and Chintadripet, catching both traders and buyers off guard.
Fish trader KB Tirumal said that it is common for catch to decline after Pongal, as trawlers operate under changing weather conditions and seasonal migration patterns of fish.
This year fish availability has dropped significantly, and traders predict that this trend will persist until the fishing ban comes into effect between April 15 and June 15. Tirumal said more than 300 Kasimedu trawlers venture 1,000km into deep waters, reaching Odisha, with each trip requiring 6,000 litres of fuel, making operations costly for boat owners.
Due to poor catch yields in recent weeks, many trawler owners are hesitant to send their boats into the sea, said fish trader V Anbu.
The Chintadripet market, another major seafood hub in the city, also witnessed a drop in fish arrivals, with traders reporting similar supply shortages and price hikes.