Negombo Fishermen’s Organizations Collective member Jude Namal said that the main reason for the soaring price of fish in the market is the decrease in the fish harvest in the shallow seas. Consumers say that except for Salaya (Sardinella) and Sudaya (White Sardinella) fish, the price of one kilo of all other types of sea fish is more than Rs.2000.
Namal further said that the increase in the price of fuel and the high prices of fishing gear has also resulted in rise in fish prices. “Also, the pumping of sea sand reduces the fish harvest in the shallow sea in the Western Province. The undersea earthquakes and the use of illegal fishing methods such as bottom trawling and explosives, especially in the Northern and Eastern Provinces has aggravated the situation,” he added.
Namal further said that the activity of hot springs in the coastal areas around Sri Lanka these days also affects the fish harvest in the shallow seas