Out-of-State Fish Floods Karnataka Markets Amid Monsoon Ban

Mangaluru: With Karnataka’s annual monsoon fishing ban in full swing through June and July, fish supplies from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, and Odisha are meeting the demand in coastal districts. Mechanised fishing resumed in Tamil Nadu and Andhra from July 15, and fresh catches are arriving daily in Mangaluru, Malpe, Kundapur, Gangolli, Bhatkal, Kumta, and Karwar via local commission agents.

Despite reports of a good haul in Chennai between July 15–20, cyclonic weather has kept volumes low. Supplies also continue from Kerala’s traditional naadadoni boats and distant regions like Gujarat and Odisha.

In Mangaluru, around 26 commission agents handle 40–50 lorries per day, transporting nearly 5,000 boxes of fish. Fish arrives overnight from Kerala, while consignments from other states take about two days. As per norms, all lorries must reach the harbour by 5:30 a.m., and sales wrap up by 9:00 a.m.

Fresh ‘boothai’ (sardine) prices surged rapidly:

• ₹4,000 (July 15)

Other species include bangude, kollatharu, manang, koddayi, ademine, and payya, sourced from regions like Manjeshwar, Thrissur, and Ratnagiri. Meanwhile, ‘candy fish’ — lower-quality iced fish — continues to circulate, especially in hotels.

Current retail prices in Mangaluru:

• Bangude: ₹230–280/kg

While traders remain busy, traditional fishermen face a bleak season, with only 15 fishable days since the ban began. Suresh Shreyan and Ashwath Kanchan warned the season may end with poor yields. Ice-loading for mechanised boats starts July 28, with operations resuming August 3.

Giridhar Kotian, a community leader, blamed unsustainable methods like bull trawling, light fishing, and marine pollution for dwindling stocks. He urged for a national fisheries policy to regulate destructive practices and better coordinate seasonal bans.