THOPPUMPADY: With just two days left for the trawling ban to end, the price of fish is soaring. The price of chala (sardine) rose to 350 in the market last day. Prices of other popular fish- mackerel - 350, anchovy- 200, silopia - 200, black pearl- 600, kera - 400.

As the boatmen in Kochi and Vypin were unable to get sardine and mackerel, the fish for Kochi is brought from Kollam. Fish items like powdered shrimp were sold in the markets. Traditional boatmen's fish are expensive. So only the needy buy it.

The price of fish from the Chinese nets at Fort Kochi is also slightly higher. Boats will leave the state's harbors for fishing only on the night of July 30, when the ban ends.

After the ban, the fish arriving at the harbour can be auctioned by the common man. Of these, Murukumpadam Harbor in Vypin registers the highest fish profit. One can get a box of fish for a cheap price inside the harbour.