Tsunami blamed for high fish prices

The price of fish in Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, is two or three times higher than it had been before last week’s tsunami struck the Indian Ocean nation.

"What I used to buy for 1,000 Tanzanian shillings (about US $1) is now offered at 2,000 or 3,000 shillings ($2 or 3)," said Salma Bakari, a housewife in the city.

Fish is a major source of protein for Tanzanians living along the coast but since the tsunami, fishermen have been reluctant to venture into the sea although the Tanzania Meteorological Authority has issued statements saying the sea is again safe.

Tanzanian officials have reported 13 ocean-related deaths since the tsunami but at least three of the deaths were fishermen who drowned after their vessel capsized.

"For two weeks now fish had become critically scarce," Mama Mwasi, a fish vendor at Kariakoo market told IRIN. "I have had to suspend my business," she said.

The tsunami was triggered by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean 26 December, causing extensive damage and killing at least 140,000 people in Asia. It later struck the East African coastline.