*Seafood Prices Surge in Odisha Amid Two-Month Fishing Ban* Seafood prices have surged in Odisha’s Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts due to a two-month fishing ban from April 15 to June 15. The ban, under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, is aimed at protecting marine life during the peak breeding season of nearly 300 fish species. As fishing activities stop across major harbours like Paradip and Jamboo, prices of popular varieties like pomfret and vetki have jumped by 30% to 60%. Pomfret now sells at ₹450/kg (up from ₹300), and vetki at ₹400/kg (up from ₹250). Local markets in Kendrapada, Pattamundai, Rajnagar, and Jagatsinghpur are feeling the pressure, with vendors capitalising on limited supply and cold storage stocks. Swadhin Dash, a local resident, said seafood has become a luxury and unaffordable for middle-class families. The situation underlines the need for sustainable practices and better planning to ensure year-round access to affordable fish without harming marine ecosystems. This seasonal ban plays a key role in conserving marine biodiversity and ensuring future fish availability, though it temporarily affects local markets and livelihoods.