Fish prices skyrocket; more takers for meat

RAMANATHAPURAM: For the lovers of non-vegetarian food in Ramanathapuram, meat is fast replacing fish and dry fish in their meals.The prices of fish and dry fish have skyrocketed ever since the 45-day ban on fishing during the spawning season came into force. This has prompted people to opt for mutton and chicken instead of fish and dry fish.Dried Sheela fish, for example, is being sold at Rs 375 per kilogram to Rs 500 per kg (Rs 250 to Rs 350 per kg during normal days). Prices of other dry fish have also gone up correspondingly.Despite the fact that the prices of crabs, octopuses, and prawns were fixed, customers in the open market said that the products were very rare during the ban season. Marimuthu of Vandikara Street here said that there was no limit for increase of price of marine food during annual ban.