Fish prices across Dhanushkodi and neighbouring areas in Ramanathapuram district have surged up by more than ₹100 per kg due to soaring demand.

With the Tamil Nadu government enforcing its annual 61-day fishing ban for mechanised boats from April 15 to June 14, local fishermen have turned to traditional shore seine nets to cast their catch.

Since country boats are exempt from this restriction, over 200 such vessels are currently operating in the Rameswaram region. However, a significant drop in the volume of fish brought in by these country boats has triggered a widespread market shortage.

Fishermen in the Dhanushkodi area shared that they are actively utilising traditional shore seine nets to meet demand.

“Fish caught using this traditional method are exceptionally flavourful, making them highly sought after by customers. However, because the yield from these shore seine nets is quite limited, prices have inevitably gone up,” they explained.

Some local fishermen, including D. Joseph, expressed concern over the dwindling catch sizes. This supply crunch has been further aggravated by the intense summer heat, which has driven fish deeper into the sea.

Conversely, the ongoing school holidays have caused a massive influx of shoppers at local fish markets, sending retail prices skyrocketing.

Currently, premium Seer fish (Vanjaram) is selling between ₹1,300 and ₹1,500 per kg. Other popular varieties, including Emperor fish (Vila), Barracuda (Oozhi), and Trevally (Paarai), are being sold between ₹500 and ₹750 per kg. On the wholesale front, a basket of Sardines (Saalai) is fetching up to ₹2,500, while Bigeye Trevally (Mundakanni Paarai) is going for up to ₹2,000 per basket.

Additionally, Indian Mackerel (Vanganai) has touched ₹3,000 per basket, and Crab (Nandu) is retailing at up to ₹900 per kg. More affordable options like Silver Biddy (Kizhavaalai), Little Tunny (Soorai), and Yellowfin Tuna (Kaarai) are selling for around ₹250 per kg.

Despite the low catch volumes, the sustained high prices have kept the fishing community pleased. Commenting on the market situation, Jenofer, a local fisherman, noted that even though fish supply has thinned out, overall business revenues remain steady.