Staff Reporter
Port Blair, Feb 09: Soaring prices of fish in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is making holes in pockets of general public. As no fish comes with a MRP mark, fisherfolks fix the rate as per their own wish putting common man in trouble. The prices of fish is increasing day by day crashing the kitchen economy of a middle class and lower middle class families. For poor families having fish in menu is a luxury now.
Looking back one can realise that fish prices suddenly started increasing after 9/11 Mumbai attack. As the Andaman and Nicobar Command restricted non-license holder fishermen and minors to venture into the sea for security reasons there was clear cut shortage in supply of fish in local market, which resulted in sky rocketing of prices.
Though the situation at sea has now normalised and there are not much restrictions on fishermen but still today the rates has not come down.
Another interesting fact which public should know is that huge quantity of fish is being sent to mainland by a few top businessmen almost everyday. High quality fish are purchased directly from fishermen, which again results in limited supply of fish in Andaman Market and this ultimately keep the prices of fish sky high.
This is surprising that in place where we have sea all around full of marine resources, the rates of fish is astronomically high. Even today our fishermen are using old small dinghies and catching limited amount of fish everyday hence there is always a shortage in supply and hence price remain unbelievably high. This is a larger problem, which will not be solved until and unless the various departments like Civil Supplies, ANIIDCO, Fisheries, FSI come together and plan a full proof strategy to ensure sufficient amount of catch from the sea so that the prices of fish could be brought down.
