Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Mar 23: The ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel is severely affecting coastal fishers along Karnataka’s coast, as fish prices crash and livelihoods are thrown into uncertainty.

In Malpe, one of Asia’s largest fishing ports, the fishing industry is facing extreme hardship. The closure of hotels and the suspension of fish exports due to the war and commercial LPG shortage have caused fish prices to plummet. Market sources said prices have fallen by Rs 50 to Rs 200 per kilogram, depending on the type of fish.

Women fish vendors are among the hardest hit, struggling to sell their catch and suffering significant losses. “Hotels that previously purchased large quantities of fish from Malpe for Kerala-based businesses have now shut down, halting the supply chain. The war and LPG shortage have dealt a severe blow to our industry,” said local vendors. “If the conflict ends soon, we hope life returns to normal,” added several fisherwomen.

In Udupi city, around ten wholesale traders and hundreds of women are engaged in fish trade. Many hotels in the district have remained closed due to LPG scarcity, and even those still operating are buying less fish. In some cases, fish is being cooked outdoors on clay stoves, a practice hindered further by recent night rainfall.

Fish from Udupi is supplied to towns including Shirva, Kaup, Karkala, Bengaluru, and even Kerala. Hotel closures in these regions have similarly reduced demand, impacting the wider distribution network. Some operational hotels have raised fish prices to offset losses, paying significantly more for LPG, sometimes up to Rs 1,000 extra, leading to higher retail fish prices.

The current fish prices per kg show a slight variation across different varieties. Pomfret (Manji) is now priced at Rs 1,400, down from its earlier rate of Rs 1,550. Seer fish(Anjal) is being sold in the range of Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,000. Indian Mackerel (Bangude) is available between Rs 300 and Rs 260, while Finned Bullseye (Disco Fish) is priced between Rs 180 and Rs 140. Pink Perch (Rani fish) is being sold in the range of Rs 280 to Rs 245, and prawns are currently priced between Rs 340 and Rs 320 per kg.

“Almost all non-vegetarian hotels are closed, drastically reducing demand. Not just wholesale traders, but every woman selling fish now relies on hotel buyers, which have almost stopped. Business has nearly come to a standstill, and prices have fallen by Rs 50–100 per kilogram,” said local women fish traders.