Kottayam: Fisherfolk operating in Kerala's Vembanad lake are enjoying a rich haul of karimeen (pearl spot) after several months of poor availability of the popular fish variety. With canoe-based net fishing yielding larger catches, the increased supply has led to a drop in prices.

The fall in prices applies to fish sold by the Kottayam West Ulnadan Matsyathozhilali Vikasana Kshema Sangham (Inland Fishworkers' Development Welfare Society). Over the past few months, resorts and hotels in the Kumarakom region have struggled to source adequate quantities of karimeen to meet guest demand.

With catches improving significantly now, the Fishworkers' Society is meeting local requirements in Kumarakom and selling the surplus to other markets. "We have slashed prices to ensure maximum sales within Kumarakom itself," said MP Sajeev, president of the society.

The society, located at Pallichira, and two of its branches now receive 1,000-1,200 kg of pearl spot from fisherfolk daily, compared to barely 150 kg until two weeks ago. A small canoe with two fisherfolk is able to catch at least 15 kg of karimeen, said society authorities. "The availability of the fish increased after the waterflow in the lake was stalled following the closure of the shutters of the Thanneermukkom bund," said a fisherman in Kumarakom.

Following the widespread catches, the price of the A-plus grade of karimeen weighing above 250 grams has decreased from ₹680 to ₹600 per kg. Likewise, A-grade pearl spot (above 150 grams) now costs ₹500, compared to Rs 580 earlier, and B-grade variety (above 100 grams) ₹320 (old price: ₹450). Meanwhile, C-grade karimeen, which was priced at ₹270, is currently available for ₹240. Customers purchasing the fish directly from the society will be supplied cleaned karimeen at an additional cost of ₹30 per kg.

"These prices at the society will prevail until a fresh announcement. The prices will dip further if the availability of karimeen increases and go up in case the catches dwindle," said the office-bearer of the society.