An abundance of pomfret, the go-to fish for seafood-lovers, at fish markets is probably no reason to rejoice. It's a worrying sign instead, believe fishermen and researchers as it involves killing juvenile pomfret to cater to the increasing demand. Fishing of baby pomfret, say marine scientists, negatively impacts the lifecycle of the species, endangering it.

According to marine scientists, the average size of the Pomfret around 1980 used to be 300 gram when it reached fish markets, but it is now around 50 grams on an average which is way lesser. Ganesh Nakhwa, president of Maharashtra Purse Seine Fishing Welfare Association, said it was "disturbing to see juvenile Pomfret arriving in huge amounts at Ferrywharf Fishing Harbour." He said, "Most restaurants now serve Pomfrets all round the year and have pushed prices sky-high. To cater to this huge demand, all sizes of Pomfrets end up at the harbour since there are enough buyers."