Cheruvathur: Two-and-a-half kilograms of sardines for just ₹50! A surge of juvenile sardines has been reported along the shore with people beginning to personally collect the fish in large quantities from the shore.

Massive deposits of baby sardines are being observed at various coastal areas such as Thaikkadappuram and Valiyaparambu in the district. A festive atmosphere prevailed on the shore the previous day as people arrived from different parts of the district. As per reports, baby sardines from the shores of Oman and Goa are being deposited here.

Demand for baby sardines has dropped in fish markets. In fact, unsold sardines are even being abandoned. Traders purchasing sardines from fishing boats at good prices used to transport them to fertilizer manufacturing companies in Mangalore. On the previous day, 80 kilograms of sardines were priced at ₹700. Traders used to earn up to ₹22 per kilogram from companies in Mangalore.

On Friday, the rate dropped to Rs.18. As baby sardines began arriving from Mangalore shores and other harbours across the State, companies reduced their stocking and started returning the supply. This has triggered a major crisis in the fishing sector. With the influx of baby sardines, mackerel and other fish, the prices of larger fish, except pomfret and seer fish, have seen a sharp decline.

Over the past few days, fishing harbours in the region have been thriving due to the surge in sardines.