Markets struggle to meet demand as prices soar

Dubai/Ras Al Khaimah: Fish prices in Dubai are still increasing after warnings were issued to fishermen not to go see because of Cyclone Gonu resulting in lessened stock and soaring prices.

Hikes of up to 60 per cent were felt yesterday at Deira Fish Market according to Hamed Al Rahoomi, consultant to the Fishermen's Association in Dubai.

"Fishing was still not allowed yesterday so there was less fish at the market and we are paying more than 60 per cent than usual. There are only the boats that left before the cyclone that are coming back with any fish," said Al Rahoomi.
He said a kilo of the popular fish Safi was priced at Dh100 as opposed to the usual price of Dh30.

"There is enough fish in storage for four or five days but if we are not allowed to go back to the sea soon we will feel the shortage of fish in a few days. There is very little local fish," he said.

"People who need to buy fish are buying it but they are paying too much. Friday is a day when many people come to buy fish and they will feel the shortage," said Al Rahoomy.

"We think it is safe to go back out to sea but we are waiting for information from authorities. The fishermen are ready to go back out," he added.

The director of the fisheries department at the Ministry of Environment and Water, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Janahi, confirmed that fishermen were still advised not to go to sea yesterday. "We are waiting for the coastguards and the weather stations to tell us if it is safe for fishermen to go back out to sea," said Al Janahi.

He said the price increase was a normal circumstance during times when there is less fish available and hikes were more than 40 per cent.

Fishermen in Ras Al Khaimah have not gone to the sea on instructions from the departments concerned, which banned fishing trips till further notice. Fish traders have hiked prices, even as municipal inspectors have been deployed to curb prices.

Frozen fish from Dubai has been arriving at fish markets to meet the needs of residents.