​​​​​​KOLLAM: Even before the implementation of trawling ban, fish prices in the state have skyrocketed. Boats and other fishing vessels are not getting any big catch these days. Many of them are not venturing to the sea because of the constant weather warnings.

Mackerel, Kutta, Tuna and Sardine are the fish varieties commonly received from the Kerala coast. Due to covid regulation, only half of the boats in coastal areas are able to venture into the seas. Therefore, though the formal sale of fishes in the harbour has been halted, still fierce competition exists among sellers. Though the harbours were closed following Covid regulations and weather warnings, they were reopened last week with revised prices. It was expected with the higher supply of fishes the support prices will come down but what happened was contrary to this perception.

The harbour at Shaktikulangara will be closed with the ban on trawling. With this, fish prices will increase in the regions of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam along with Kollam.