Wholesale fish prices rose by 131% in past 5 years: Assocham

CHENNAI: Wholesale fish prices rose 131% over the last five years, leading to depletion and over-exploitation of fish stocks in the country, industry body Assocham said, based on a study on fish prices. 

According to a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the growth of fish production has declined to half, from 7% in 2008-09 to 3.5% during 2012-13. 

"A combination of factors like falling fish catch owing to rising water pollution, dumping of plastic and other harmful materials, absence of organized retail in fish trade, persistence of age-old distribution system, post-harvest losses, rising operating costs due to diesel price rise and other such reasons are resulting in high wastage and spoilage of fisheries resources," the study said.