NAGAPATTINAM: "Kola" fish (flying fish), regarded as most delicious among fish species, has started arriving to the markets in Nagapattinam and Karaikal districts.
A type of tiny, shining species, "Kola" are even capable of flying 2-3 metres high. Apart from the taste, the speciality the fish lie in their seasonal availability.
Fisherfolk say Kola fish will be available for about three months in a year - from end of May to August.
They can be spotted only at a challenging depth in deep sea and they usually move around in groups of thousands. So, if a fisherman is able to spot a few Kola fish, he can be sure of getting several thousands of fishes from the vicinity.
Fishermen use high quality fishing nets for catching this variety of fish. Fishing of Kola can be done only during late night hours.
"Each fish fetches around Rs 3 to 5 in the market. The price peaks in the evening soon after arrival at the market and the it goes down gradually as night time approaches," said Ramalingam, a fisherman at Tarangambadi.
The fishermen say that Kola varieties are always in great demand and they are exported to neighbouring states and even to foreign countries.