Fish coming to market at Ukkadam has reduced in quantity, and is being sold at high rates for the last few months. This is because of the ban imposed by the Tamil Nadu Government for the last 45 days due to the fish breeding season, according to fish sellers.

Now the Kerala Government has also announced such a ban for 45 days and hence the trend is expected to continue. To add to this, heavy winds in the Tamil Nadu coastal areas has prevented the fishermen to go for fishing. This has further affected the shortage of fish and resulted in steep increase in price.

Fish is brought to the market from Rameswaram, Tuticorin, Nagapattinam and Kerala coastal villages for sale. Fish trader Abbas said the rates of fish in the market were as follows:

Vanjiram – Rs.750 per kg.; Ooli – Rs. 400; Paarai – Rs.400; Vilai – Rs.350; Matthi – Rs.100;

Ayilai – Rs.250; Nethili – Rs.250; prawns – Rs .500; Rameswaram crab – Rs.450; Ordinary crabs –

Rs.250 to Rs.350; Sankara – Rs.300; Nagarai – Rs.350; Waval – Rs.750 and White Waval –

Rs. 1000.